In Mankato, Minnesota, an 18-year-old man is now facing serious charges, including second-degree murder, after a tragic shooting early Saturday morning. Authorities say the young man is also accused of having a gun without a serial number.
It all began around 3:15 a.m. when a witness, a male friend of the victim, called 911 from his home in Blue Earth County. He told officers that someone had been shot. When police arrived, they found a man dead in the passenger seat of a car, with what appeared to be a gunshot wound.
According to the witness, he and the victim had gone to the 500 block of East Walnut Street in Mankato for what’s known as a “cart deal.” In this case, they were trying to buy marijuana cartridges for e-cigarettes. Things took a deadly turn when the 18-year-old approached the car.
The witness told police he had parked on the street when the 18-year-old opened the rear passenger door. That’s when the victim reportedly asked, “Why are you clutching, bro?” Moments later, the witness heard a gunshot. The 18-year-old immediately ran off, and the witness drove back to his house to call for help.
Police were able to use GPS data from the witness’s phone to confirm his version of events. They also reviewed surveillance footage from the area. The video showed two people walking up to the car. After a few seconds, the footage captured both of them running away.
Investigators later tracked down and spoke to one of the two people seen in the video. That person admitted to walking up to the car with the 18-year-old but said they were on the driver’s side when they heard a loud bang. After that, they saw the 18-year-old take off running.
When officers confronted the 18-year-old at his home, he initially denied knowing anything about what had happened. But as police laid out the evidence they had gathered, he admitted to shooting the victim. He told officers he had planned to steal the marijuana cartridges and sell them. The teen claimed he saw the victim move his hand, assumed the man was reaching for a gun, and fired out of fear. However, he admitted he didn’t actually see a weapon.
The 18-year-old also revealed where he had hidden the gun he used. Police later found the weapon, a loaded .40 caliber handgun without a serial number. Officers also discovered another handgun in the center console of the victim’s car.
This tragic incident has left many in the Mankato community shaken, as it underscores the dangers of illegal firearms and escalated confrontations. The investigation continues as authorities work to piece together the full story behind this heartbreaking loss of life.
