Charges: Police watched Mississippi man fatally shoot victim in downtown Minneapolis parking lot
A Mississippi man is is charged with two counts of second-degree murder after prosecutors say he shot a man in a downtown Minneapolis parking lot shortly after bar close.
The Hennepin County Attorney's Office announced the charges against 23-year-old Kevion Jamal Gibbs Tuesday afternoon. He's accused of shooting 33-year-old Deandre Smith shortly around 2:30 a.m. June 5, following a confrontation. And police officers watched the whole scene unfold, chasing after the suspect and shooting him once before an arrest.
According to the criminal complaint:
Metro Transit police officers watched a large group leave Augie's bar and head to a nearby lot, and noted arguing appeared to be going on. The officers then watched as a man - later identified as Smith - punched another individual in the lot, causing that person to fall to the ground.
Smith then started running, and officers observed Gibbs, who was nearby, take out a handgun and point it at Smith, tracking his movements. When Smith was about 5 feet away, Gibbs fired multiple shots.
Smith fell, got up again, then moved to the fenced edge of the parking lot where he collapsed. Officers who moved to treat him said he was unresponsive and bleeding. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.
A Metro Transit police officer chased Gibbs as he ran toward his vehicle. During the chase, the officer shot Gibbs once, striking him in the leg. Gibbs tossed his gun to the ground and was arrested.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner determined Smith died from three gunshot wounds, including one bullet that went through his heart, and another that struck his colon and kidney.
Gibbs was treated at the hospital for his gunshot wound, and told officers Smith had punched him and his brother. Gibbs told them he fired his gun at the ground as a defensive measure, to try to force the crowd to disperse.
Body camera footage show Gibbs shooting directly at Smith multiple times.
Gibbs' first court appearance is scheduled for June 9 at 1:30 p.m. In convicted, each second-degree murder charge carries a sentence of three to 40 years in prison.
