A dispute over a $600 debt provoked the fatal shooting of a man tending to food truck maintenance in north Minneapolis, according to charges filed Monday.

Henry B. Cousins, 32, of Minneapolis, was charged in Hennepin County District Court with second-degree murder in connection with the death of David R. Ryman, 26, of Mounds View, in the 4700 block of Lyndale Avenue on Nov. 6. Cousins remains jailed ahead of a court appearance Tuesday.

Ryman had just welcomed his third child into the world in late September when he was killed in a block with a Dairy Queen, other casual food outlets, visiting food trucks and some light industry. He was shot in the neck and chest, the medical examiner's office disclosed.

According to the criminal complaint:

Cousins, accompanied by a woman and her daughter, arrived at the food truck and "was agitated and demanded that [Ryman] come work on his car" to make up for a $600 debt, the charging document read.

A witness said Cousins appeared calm for a moment but got "amped up" and shot Ryman, the complaint continued. Cousins and the others with him ran from the scene.

The woman with Cousins told police that the defendant and her husband are cousins. After the shooting, Cousins "was crying and said he didn't mean for that to happen," the woman told authorities, the complaint continued.

Questioned by police, Cousins said he was tired of Ryman disrespecting him and "wanted to be in charge for once," the charges read.

He said Ryman owed him closer to $700 for work the mechanic hadn't finished on three vehicles. Cousins explained he went to hit Ryman with the gun in the head and it went off.

Cousins told police he caught a ride to Inver Grove Heights in a "hood Uber" — a driver who provides rides in exchange for cash, liquor or illicit drugs — and threw the handgun in the Mississippi River.

Cousins' criminal history in Minnesota includes a conviction for illegal gun possession, a felony.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482