MINNEAPOLIS — The man responsible for shooting and killing two people nearly a year-and-a-half ago in downtown Minneapolis, including a St. Thomas student, was found guilty of murder and attempted murder in Hennepin County court Wednesday.
Jawan Contrail Carroll, now 25, was found guilty on all counts, two murder charges and seven attempted murder charges, for his role in a shootout outside the Monarch nightclub on May 22, 2021.
Charlie Johnson, a 21-year-old mechanical engineering student set to accept his diploma from the University of St. Thomas, was killed in the crossfire.
Another man, 24-year-old Christopher Jones Jr., who was involved in the shootout with Carroll was also killed, and seven people were injured.
According to KARE 11 reporter Lou Raguse, who was inside the courtroom when the verdict was read, "this was a very emotionally charged trial with expanded security on the floor where it was held."
Raguse added that the courtroom was evenly divided between Carroll's family and the families of the victims.
Following the violence, Carroll was charged with two counts of second-degree murder and seven counts of attempted second-degree murder.
According to prosecutors, investigators recognized Carroll on surveillance video after the shooting and said he was a known member of the "Tre Tres" gang. Court records showed Carroll had several pending charges against him at the time of the shootout, including second-degree assault and attempting to flee police.
Sentencing for Carroll is currently scheduled for Dec. 12.
The fatal shooting prompted calls from Johnson's family, along with city and community leaders, to stop the violence permeating the city.
"We're just asking everyone to put the damn guns down. Put 'em down," Charlie's father Greg Johnson said in the wake of his son's death.
In Aug. 2022, the city unveiled a new approach to address crime in Minneapolis, called "Operation Endeavor," which involves using increased police patrols and more coordination with community groups.
This is a developing story. KARE 11 will provide more details as new information becomes available.
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