Man Who Opened Fire at Minneapolis Encampments Gets 35 Years

Sep 6

A Minneapolis man was sentenced to prison for a series of shootings near homeless encampments last September that killed two people and wounded three others.

Joshua Anthony Jones, 37, pleaded guilty in July to two counts of second-degree murder for the Sept. 18, 2024 shootings that left 20-year-old Roland Littleowl and 39-year-old Robert Brown dead.

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A judge sentenced him to two concurrent 35-year prison terms. Jones has been in custody since his arrest and was credited for 353 days already served. He is permanently barred from possessing guns or ammunition.

As part of the plea agreement, Jones avoided trial and a potential life sentence after prosecutors dismissed a first-degree murder indictment. Attempted murder charges tied to three surviving victims were also dismissed. Two people were wounded and a third was shot at but not hit.

PREVIOUSLY: Suspect Arrested After Shooting Spree Leaves 2 Dead

Investigators said all the shootings occurred at or near three Minneapolis encampments, but there was no evidence Jones targeted people because they were homeless.

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At sentencing, relatives of the victims described their grief. Sandra Brown said her “whole world shattered” when she learned her son Robert had been killed. She told the court they spoke by phone nearly every day and that while he had struggles, “he loved his family and knew he was loved.” She said the pain remains constant, adding that her husband still cannot talk about Robert without breaking down.

Sarah Goodwin, the mother of Littleowl, submitted a statement read in court. She said the death of her son, a father of three, left her unable to enjoy daily life. “Anything since that day, I don’t like being around people. I don’t even want to be bothered,” she wrote. Goodwin told Jones the killing “took a piece of everyone that loved my son.”

Jones declined to address the court before sentencing. He will not be eligible for supervised release until serving at least 23 years in prison.

PREVIOUSLY: More Charges for Suspect in Minneapolis Shooting Spree

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