Charges Filed in South St. Paul Shooting That Killed 20-year-old

Sep 16

A South St. Paul man has been charged in connection with a deadly shooting that left one person dead and another seriously injured early Friday morning.

Prosecutors charged 19-year-old Terrell Anthony Ranzy after being accused of firing multiple shots inside a crowded bedroom during an attempted robbery, striking both men.

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According to the criminal complaint, officers were called just after 3:40 a.m. Sept. 12 to a home on the 300 block of Second Avenue South in South St. Paul on a report of an unresponsive man. Police say they struggled to force open a bedroom door that was blocked and discovered two young men inside with gunshot wounds. Matthew Robert Lee, 20, was found on the floor with no pulse and was pronounced dead at the scene. Another 20-year-old, Keith Woodson Cox, had tourniquets on his arm and wounds to his torso. A black Glock was found on a table nearby.

Investigators spoke with people inside the house and learned that Ranzy and Cox had been comparing guns in the small upstairs bedroom shortly before the shooting. Several other people inside the home told police that Cox later pulled out his firearm and attempted to rob Ranzy of his gun, saying “I need you to give me all that s***.”

Ranzy reportedly fell back onto the bed, fired a shot into the ceiling, then crouched and opened fire, striking Cox and Lee. Witnesses told police they believed Cox fired his weapon as well, and investigators collected 14 discharged casings from two calibers, indicating both guns had been fired. Witnesses described Lee as an innocent bystander.

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Police say Ranzy fled the house after the gunfire but was found shortly afterward hiding in a nearby shed. A search of the area did not turn up a firearm. An autopsy determined Lee died from two gunshot wounds and ruled his death a homicide. Ranzy is prohibited from having guns following a January conviction for threats of violence in Ramsey County.

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Ranzy now faces three felony counts: second-degree murder while committing a felony, second-degree manslaughter for culpable negligence and possession of a firearm by an ineligible person. If convicted, the top charge carries up to 40 years in prison.

Court records show Ranzy made an initial court appearance Tuesday afternoon where bail was set at $750,000 without conditions or $400,000 with conditions. Those conditions include no contact with witnesses, surrendering his passport and not leaving Minnesota without court approval. He must also surrender any firearms, remain law-abiding and stay away from the address where the shooting occurred.

Ranzy’s next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 25. Authorities say Cox was also charged with attempted 1st degree aggravated robbery for his role in the incident. He was charged via warrant.

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