3 Teens Behind Bars After Robbery Turned Fatal Shooting
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - Three teenagers are behind bars in connection with a robbery that left another teen dead.
Investigators say the four teens were attempting to rob a couple in Shadow Falls Park along Summit Avenue in St. Paul.
Police say the man being robbed pulled a gun and fired, killing 16-year-old Levante Broadbent.
Now, there is a heavy police presence in Shadow Falls Park, not just because of the attempted robbery and shooting that happened Friday night. Last night, during a vigil for the victim, more shots were fired.
Officers have the area on lockdown until they get to the bottom of the incident that took a teenager's life.
Police describe the incident as a robbery gone wrong.
They say the couple was sitting near the bluffs, talking to a group of teens, when the friendly exchanged turned to demands.
Sgt. Paul Paulos said one of the teens, dressed in a mask and gloves, took out a handgun in an attempt to rob the couple.
The would-be victim then took out a handgun of his own and fired.
Police say it's unclear how many times Broadbent was hit. He died at the scene.
Police say the man who shot him tried to help.
"He held on to the area, rendered first aid, took off his shirt, tried to give immediate help and called police as he was supposed to do," Paulos said.
Family members. who did not want to be identified, said the Broadbent they know loved sports and did everything he could to stay on the court, field or wrestling mat since he was very little.
Broadbent would have been a junior at Henry Sibley High School.
His family said they have more questions than answers.
"We want to know why he had to be shot so many times," a family member said. "We want to know where'd he get this gun."
The teen they called "Man Man" is gone. His family said someone out there knows what really happened and they hope the truth eventually comes out.
"This ain't Man Man," the family member said. He got led in the wrong direction that night. He did. This is never something he would do. When I say we are in shock, I mean, We are in shock. This is not him."
Police are not releasing the name of the robbery victim, but they say he has a valid permit to carry a gun.
Investigators say this is still an active case, and they are asking for the public's help.
If you have any information, call the St. Paul police.
