Antonio D. Sims wasn't carrying a gun and didn't have one in his car when he and his cousin went to buy marijuana Feb. 11 in the parking lot of JJ's Fish & Chicken in St. Paul, according to court documents.
Charges filed in fatal shooting outside St. Paul eatery
February 20, 2008 at 5:49AM
As Sims, 20, headed toward the seller's vehicle, shots rang out and Sims ran, stumbled and collapsed outside the front door of the restaurant.
Edward Lee Grayson and Mychel A. Stowers, both 20 and of St. Paul, were charged Tuesday in Ramsey County District Court with second-degree murder in Sims' death.
According to the complaint, the cousin told police Sims had a cell phone conversation with a "Selby dude named Tank," and Tank and another male were in a Pontiac Grand Am in the restaurant parking lot.
Another witness told police that he heard four "popping sounds" and saw two men standing behind the car about 10:30 p.m. Monday. One ran and jumped in the passenger side as the other "walked, then fell to his knees and crawled, and then collapsed near the front door of JJ's," the complaint said.
The vehicle was stopped by police on unrelated violations about two hours after the shooting, and officers arrested Grayson, Stowers and another man.
Sims' cousin later identified Grayson and Stowers as the men in the vehicle at the shooting scene. Both defendants denied being there.
Grayson's criminal history includes convictions for underage drinking, theft and disorderly conduct. Stowers has been arrested on suspicion of trespassing and driving after license suspension, according to court records.
PAT PHEIFER
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