Prosecutors say death of teen gang related

Published 7:34 am Tuesday, July 27, 2010

MINNEAPOLIS — Prosecutors say the 17-year-old boy whose body was found in a Minneapolis creek was killed as part of a gang initiation.

The body of James Teto Grant was found July 18 in Bassett Creek in Theodore Wirth Park by two men who were kayaking with their children.

A criminal complaint charging a 16-year-old boy with the death says Grant had a car battery tied to one of his legs with a cable.

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The victim’s father, James Grant, tells WCCO-TV he and his son immigrated to the United States from Liberia years ago. He says they came to America for a better life. He had hoped his son would go to college.

Charges against two additional juveniles and an adult could come later this week.