Murder charge: Minneapolis gunman shoots victim in forehead, steps over body and leaves

One of several people in a downtown Minneapolis apartment shot a man in the forehead after an argument, stepped over the body and fled the scene, according to a criminal complaint filed Monday.

Darryll L. Wilkes, 26, was charged in Hennepin County District Court with second-degree murder in the shooting Wednesday in an apartment in the 1400 block of Portland Avenue S.

Also charged was James W. Wilkes, the alleged gunman's 28-year-old brother, who's accused of aiding an offender after the fact.

The men, both from Minneapolis, remain jailed ahead of court appearances scheduled for Tuesday. Court records do not list an attorney for either defendant.

The victim, a 34-year-old man, was hospitalized at Hennepin County Medical Center and died there Sunday, police said. Authorities have yet to release his identity.

Both brothers have lengthy criminal histories in Minnesota. Darryll Wilkes has convictions for first-degree robbery, theft, domestic assault and other crimes. James Wilkes has been convicted of first- and second-degree robbery, theft and fifth-degree assault.

According to the charges against the brothers:

The witness said the victim arrived at the apartment on the night of the shooting and began arguing in the hall with someone known as "Fatboy," who appeared to be in charge of the apartment.

The suspect said to his victim, "Oh, you want to steal on me … ?" the witness told police.

The gunman drew a gun from his pocket, shot his victim in the forehead and "walked over his body and left the apartment," the complaint continued.

Investigators tracked down Darryll Wilkes to a Motel 6 in Roseville and arrested him. Moments later, James Wilkes arrived in a car owned by his brother. He also was arrested.

A woman in the apartment at the time said the dispute was over "new rules in the home, and people who used to come in and relax would not be allowed to do that anymore," the complaint read.

James Wilkes acknowledged to police that he left the apartment with his brother that night, but "nothing of significance happened inside," according to the complaint.