Connect with us

Minneapolis, MN

Charges unsealed against alleged getaway driver for man who killed 2 in Dinkytown tobacco shop

Published

on

Charges unsealed against alleged getaway driver for man who killed 2 in Dinkytown tobacco shop


Prosecutors on Tuesday made public charges filed six months ago against a man police are trying to find who allegedly was the getaway driver for the gunman accused of killing two people in a Dinkytown tobacco shop.

Taynard Town Deshawn Godsey, 26, of Minneapolis, was charged in Hennepin County District Court with four counts of aiding an offender after the fact, in connection with the suspected gang-related shooting at Royal Cigar Tobacco on Dec. 3 that also wounded a store clerk with a bullet intended for another.

The men who died were identified as Bryson Lamarr Haskell and Jamartre Michael Sanders, both 24 and from Minneapolis.

The alleged shooter, 26-year-old Maleek Jabril Conley, of Minneapolis, was arrested in Chicago in March on two charges each of second-degree murder and attempted murder. He remains jailed in lieu of $2 million bail and has a court hearing scheduled for June 28.

Advertisement

The court kept the criminal complaint against Godsey, filed five days after the killings, under wraps out of law enforcement’s concern that he would evade arrest if he knew he had been charged. The complaint was unsealed soon after police turned to social media Friday for help finding Godsey.

Godsey is “believed to be in Minnesota or Arizona,” a police Facebook posting read. “He has worked as a model in the past and may be using a fake name or ID.”

Gunfire erupted in the shop after a brawl broke out between two groups of people in the tiny, family-owned smoke shop at SE. 4th Street and 14th Avenue near the University of Minnesota about 2:15 a.m., before a posted closing time of 3 a.m. Video depicted a melee involving at least seven men, with two of them exchanging punches on the floor as products spilled from shelves.

According to the charges against Godsey and Conley:

Haskell and Sanders were shot in the head and neck several times while the store clerk was struck in the buttocks by a stray bullet. The clerk told police the victims were with one of the groups that got into an argument and a fistfight that he and other employees tried to stop. But Conley entered the store and unleashed a barrage of semiautomatic gunfire.

Advertisement

Video corroborated the clerk’s account and revealed that Conley fired directly at Haskell and Sanders while standing 3 feet away. Conley also fired at least twice at a fourth victim from close range but missed, wounding the clerk.

Godsey was involved in the fistfight and was standing near Conley as the gunfire erupted.

A store employee pressed a panic button that locked everyone inside. When Conley realized this, he shot out a glass door and crawled through the metal frame, followed by four accomplices. All five men ran to a stolen Kia and fled the scene with Godsey behind the wheel.

The stolen Kia was found outside a suspect’s apartment building in the 2400 block of Elliot Avenue. Surveillance video from the apartment showed all five men at the site 15 minutes after the shooting.

Three among the five are known members of a south Minneapolis street gang. Investigators say that Haskell and Sanders were associated with a north Minneapolis street gang, and they believe the killings stemmed from a rivalry.

Advertisement

Police described Godsey as black, 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 130 pounds. They said he has light brown hair styled in short dreadlocks, freckles on his face, and both of his ears are pierced. He has a birthmark on his right arm and multiple tattoos on his left forearm and upper arm, police added.

“If you see Taynard, call 911 immediately and DO NOT approach him,” the posting continued. Anyone with information about Godsey’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact police through policetips@minneapolismn.gov or by calling 612-673-5845. Tips can also be given to CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). All tips are anonymous, and information leading to Godsey’s arrest may result in a reward.



Source link

Advertisement

Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey signs gun ban ordinance

Published

on

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey signs gun ban ordinance


Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey signed a new ordinance that carries a ban on assault weapons but won’t take effect unless there are major changes to state law.

Minneapolis gun ban ordinance signed

What we know:

Advertisement

The Minneapolis City Council approved the ordinance during its meeting last week.

The firearm regulations ordinance includes a ban on assault weapons, ghost guns, binary triggers, and high-capacity magazines. The ordinance also includes safe storage provisions for firearms.

Advertisement

Big picture view:

Many of the provisions in the law won’t go into effect unless there is a change in state law. Currently, Minnesota law prevents municipalities from enacting gun regulations.

Minnesota law only allows cities to bar the discharge of firearms within city limits and adopt regulations that are identical to state laws. Any regulations that go beyond state law are voided, according to state statute.

Advertisement

Local perspective:

Action on the gun ordinance was spurred by last year’s shooting at Annunciation Church and School. Two students were killed while attending morning mass at the church and more than two dozen students and parishioners were hurt in the barrage of gunfire.

Advertisement

Last week, parents of Annunciation students spoke out in support of the ordinance at a public hearing.

Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus threatens lawsuit

The other side:

Advertisement

Last year, St. Paul passed a similar law. The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus filed a lawsuit shortly after the ordinance was signed. Arguments were heard last month on the case and a judge has set a trial for next year.

In a statement last week, the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus said it was evaluating its legal options in Minneapolis.

Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus Chair Bryan Strawser said:

Advertisement

“The City of Minneapolis is attempting to make a political statement with an ordinance it has no legal authority to enact. Minnesota law clearly preempts the entire field of firearms regulation, and local governments cannot simply ignore state statute because they dislike the policy outcome.

“If the City Council moves forward with this unlawful ordinance, we will evaluate every available legal option to challenge it, just as we did in Saint Paul.

Advertisement

“The law is not optional, even for Minneapolis.”

Jacob FreyMinneapolis City CouncilPoliticsGun Laws



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Minneapolis, MN

Police investigating south Minneapolis shooting that left man wounded

Published

on

Police investigating south Minneapolis shooting that left man wounded



A man was hurt in a shooting in south Minneapolis late Tuesday night, according to police.

A report of shots fired brought officers to the 2600 block of Third Avenue South around 9:50 p.m., the Minneapolis Police Department said. They found evidence of gunfire and began investigating.

Later, a man with survivable gunshot wounds showed up at Hennepin Healthcare.

Advertisement

No one has been arrested.



Source link

Continue Reading

Minneapolis, MN

Gun safety bill fate in Minnesota

Published

on

Gun safety bill fate in Minnesota


Annunciation parents are urging House Republicans to allow a vote on a comprehensive gun safety bill that includes school safety funding, mental health support and bans on assault weapons after a mass shooting in August. FOX 9’s Corin Hoggard has the latest details on the proposal.



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending