Officers spoke to witnesses at the scene who described an adult male standing outside of the apartment building. He was described as wearing dark clothes and giving witnesses “a nasty look.” Witnesses saw the adult male immediately before they heard the gunshots outside. Officers recognized the description of the individual from an earlier call in the area regarding a suspicious male looking into vehicles. This individual was identified as Jonathan Marquist Payton, [DOB REDACTED] (“Defendant”). Officers knew that Defendant was staying at the apartment where the shooting occurred.
Witnesses were shown a picture of Defendant from the earlier call and identified Defendant as the person standing outside the building when the gun was fired. Officers located Defendant’s brother (“Brother”) outside the apartment building. Brother told Officers that Defendant was inside the apartment. Brother asked Defendant to come outside to talk with Officers. Defendant said he did not know what was going on and denied firing a gun. Defendant told Officers he was recently released from prison for a gun charge.
While Officers were talking with Defendant, Brother consented to a search of his apartment for the gun. Brother offered to help Officers conduct the search. Officers located a holster for a handgun. In a bag in the living room, a black Taurus handgun was located. The handgun had a.40 caliber round in the chamber. Defendant was then arrested and transported to the Winona County Jail without incident. Officers located an adult female (“Witness”) who saw the shooting. Witness told Officers she was looking out her apartment window towards the street.
Witness saw a middle-aged white woman with white/grey hair walk by her window. Witness then saw a black male, wearing a black sweatshirt with his hood up. This male matched Defendant’s description. Witness saw the male was standing on the sidewalk, and he raised his hand, pointing a gun to the west, and fired two rounds. Witness believed the man was shooting at the woman. Witness stated she immediately took cover and went 3 ••-CR-••-•••• Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 11/7/2025 to the ground.
Witness did not hear any arguments or disagreements prior to the gunshots. Officers located a bullet hole in the driver-side taillight of a truck parked in a driveway a few houses away to the west. The bullet was located underneath the truck. Officers also located two spent.40 mm shell casings in front of the apartment where the shooting occurred. Surveillance video from a few houses away shows Defendant walking in the area immediately prior to the shooting. Defendant is wearing the same clothes as described by witnesses.
An unidentified woman is also seen walking down the sidewalk immediately prior to the shooting. A search of Defendant’s criminal history shows the following crimes of violence convictions: •08/2022 - Winona County - 85-CR-22-72 - Felony 1st Degree Burglary [609.582.1(a)] •04/2019 - Olmsted County - ••-CR-••-•••• - Felony Stalking (2+ viol) [609.749.4(a)] •04/2019 - Olmsted County - ••-CR-••-•••• - Felony Stalking (2+ viol) [609.749.4(a)] •09/2017 - Olmsted County - ••-CR-••-•••• - Felony Stalking (2+ viol) [609.749.4(a)] •01/2013 - Olmsted County - ••-CR-••-•••• - Felony Possess Pistol/Assault Weapon w/Crime of Viol [624.713.1(2)] •05/2005 - Multnomah County (Oregon) - 041035833 - Felony Unlawful Use of Weapon (166.220), which would be Felony 2nd Degree Assault [609.222.1] PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: Pursuant to Minn.
