A 42-year-old man has been arrested in Fargo and is now charged in the shooting death of an innocent bystander in a Lake Street bar two months ago during a birthday party.
Ron Powell, of Minneapolis, was charged with second-degree murder, second-degree assault and illegal possession of a firearm in the death of Mark A. Stephenson, 51, inside Champions on Lake, just west of Nicollet Avenue.
As of early Tuesday afternoon, Powell remained jailed in Fargo. He was apprehended Friday night by police in the parking lot of the Wal-Mart on 13th Avenue. He offered no resistance.
Local authorities had been alerted two weeks ago that Powell could be in the area.
Along with killing Stephenson, of Minneapolis, Powell is also accused of shooting and wounding his intended target, Anthony O. Collins, during a dispute over money and a car.
According to the criminal complaint:
Collins, in the bar celebrating his 36th birthday, said he confronted Powell about robbing his cousin of $3,500 in 2009 and also suspected Powell of stealing a car from him years ago.
Collins then punched Powell. From the floor, Powell pulled a gun and fired three shots at Collins, hitting his intended target in both legs and Stephenson in the femoral artery.
