A Saint Paul man has died from injuries he suffered when he was punched during an altercation in January, a death police have classified as the city’s sixth homicide of 2026.
The Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Thomas Stockstill, 66, of Saint Paul, who died on May 2.
The suspect in the assault, 22-year-old Jared James Sprowls, of Saint Paul, pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and is scheduled to be sentenced Monday, June 1.
Saint Paul officers were called to the 1500 block of Marion Street around 4:30 p.m. on January 30 for a report of an assault, according to a criminal complaint. When they arrived, they were met by Sprowls, who said he’d called 911 and had been involved in an altercation inside an apartment.
Officers detained Sprowls and placed him in the back of a squad car.
READ MORE → Ramsey County coverage
Inside the apartment, officers found Stockstill on his back on the floor between the living room and kitchen, with an injury to his right ear and a swollen bump near his left eye. He had labored breathing and was unresponsive. Saint Paul Fire medics transported him to Regions Hospital.
After being read his rights, Sprowls told investigators he was homeless and had been allowed to sleep on the couch by the woman who lived in the apartment, where he had stayed for less than 30 days. He said Stockstill arrived around 11 a.m. or noon that day, and the woman wanted him to leave. When Sprowls asked him to go, Stockstill became aggressive toward the woman and then toward Sprowls, the court documents allege.
Sprowls said he stepped back and asked Stockstill to leave, but Stockstill allegedly began grabbing him and lunged at him in the kitchen, knocking things over and throwing punches that did not connect. Sprowls said he slapped Stockstill with an open hand, knocking him to the floor, then slapped him a second time.
Standing over him, Sprowls said he told Stockstill, “Please, I don’t want to do this, but can you please leave.”
PREVIOUSLY: Man Charged After Assault Leaves Man with Brain Injury
He said he let Stockstill get up and told him to leave or take the matter outside. Instead, Stockstill set down his glass and came at him again. Sprowls told police he punched Stockstill with a right hook that connected with his jaw. Stockstill fell to the floor and struck the back of his head. Sprowls said he immediately called 911. Officers noted that Sprowls had an abrasion on his neck, a small abrasion on his right ring finger and a small scratch near his left wrist.
The woman, who said she had been in a relationship with Stockstill for 20 years, told officers the two men knew each other but did not get along. She said she was in her bedroom when she heard them arguing after both had been drinking.
The argument turned physical, and she heard smashing and bumping, one of the men yelling “Get off me,” then a heavy thud. She came out, told them to stop and found Sprowls on the floor beside Stockstill. She said Sprowls urged her to call 911 and told her he did not mean for it to happen. She told police it wasn’t the first time the two men had fought over Sprowls staying with her.
→ Sign up for the MN CRIME newsletter
Medical staff told investigators that Stockstill had suffered multiple brain hemorrhages, brain swelling, a facial fracture and elevated cranial pressure. He remained in critical but stable condition and could not be interviewed. He never regained consciousness and died on May 2.
Sprowls was charged with first-degree assault involving great bodily harm, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. He made an initial court appearance on February 3, when unconditional bail was set at $75,000. He pleaded guilty as charged on April 6 with no agreement on the length of his sentence and has remained in custody.
Sprowls’ sentencing is set for 1:30 p.m. Monday in Ramsey County District Court.
