Murder charges filed in St. Paul's first homicide of the year

A 20-year-old Twin Cities man was charged with murder Friday in St. Paul's first homicide of the year.

Rayshon T. Brooks, address unknown, was charged in Ramsey County District Court with two counts of crime committed for the benefit of a gang and one count each of second-degree murder with intent and second-degree murder without intent.

He is accused of fatally shooting John M. Broyles, 17, on March 5.

According to the complaint: Broyles and his cousin were going to a party at the Days Inn at 1964 University Av. when a car pulled up. Someone in the car recognized Broyles' cousin. Brooks was behind the steering wheel of the car.

Broyles' cousin is an alleged member of the Gutter Block gang and Brooks is an alleged member of the HAM Crazy gang, opposing gangs that have been "beefing" over a murder committed by HAM Crazy gang members a few years ago, the complaint said.

Broyles' cousin told police that Brooks pulled out a handgun and pointed it at them through the front windshield. Broyles and his cousin ran.

Brooks pursued them.

Broyles fired four or five shots, and Brooks fired two or three shots, one witness told police.

Broyles died at the scene. An autopsy showed that he suffered a gunshot to the back that struck his spleen, diaphragm, heart and left lung.

Chao Xiong • 612-270-4708