16-year-old boy killed in St. Louis County is ID'd

Authorities have identified the 16-year-old boy who was fatally shot on the Fond du Lac Reservation earlier this week. 

Joseph James Peterson of Cloquet/Fond du Lac Reservation was killed on Dec. 28, the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office says. 

When officials arrived at a home on the reservation on around 1:19 a.m. that day, they found the boy dead outside. 

According to an obituary published in Red Lake Nation News, Peterson was "funny, loving and kind," and he was "always hungry, rapping and generous."

"He was always telling everyone that he loved them and always gave big hugs whenever anyone saw him. Joe always said his friends are his brothers. He will be remembered by everyone and missed dearly," his obituary says.

Authorities initially sought three people in connection to the shooting, but have since issued a warrant for the arrest of one suspect – 18-year-old Joseph James Fohrenkam of Cloquet – who as of Thursday morning has not yet been located. 

The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office earlier this week said it believes Fohrenkam, who was charged via warrant with second-degree manslaughter, is with his mother, Littlefawn Fohrenkam, and may be in possession of a handgun. 

According to the charges against Fohrenkam, three witnesses who were in a truck on Giiniw Road with Fohrenkam and Peterson said they were all drinking together and talking, the Duluth News Tribune reports.

Fohrenkam was showing off a gun and waving it around when at one point it discharged, charges state, according to the paper. Witnesses, who had left the scene, then reported hearing several more gunshots, adding that Fohrenkam was either shooting at a bottle on the ground or at the truck. 

Anyone with information on the case is encouraged to call 911 or 218-625-3581. 

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