A 17-year-old has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for fatally shooting a man outside a Saint Paul tobacco store last fall.
The shooting occurred in front of witnesses, and one of them later confirmed that the victim had just purchased cigars for him moments earlier. Another told officers he had been arguing with the victim about a woman before the shooting but denied knowing the shooter.
PREVIOUSLY: Teen Pleads Guilty in Tobacco Shop Shooting
Taw fled the scene on his bike but was spotted minutes later walking on Germain Street. Officers attempted to stop him, but he ran through yards with an item tucked into his waistband. A black face mask was found near where he was arrested. Officers later found a 9mm Smith & Wesson handgun near where Taw was running, and matched it to shell casings collected at the scene.
As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors agreed to cap their sentencing request at 283 months, while the defense argued for a 261-month term. A separate juvenile charge of third-degree riot was dismissed.
