ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCOO) – A Crow Wing County man was charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree assault Thursday in connection with a shooting during a July 6, 2012, robbery in St. Paul.
According to the complaint, Andre Thomas Johnson, 34, plotted with his mother to rob the victim, Roy Burgess, because he needed money.
Johnson’s mother informed the victim’s neighbor, Harold Hill (who is her cousin) that her son, Andre, planned to rob Burgess because Burgess was known to carry large sums of cash.
All parties allegedly knew each other due to their involvement with a drug-selling scheme.
On July 6, shortly before midnight, Johnson confronted the victim with a rifle as Burgess was attempting to leave his house with a friend.
Johnson allegedly shot both the victim and his friend, twice. Burgess died at the scene and the other victim was treated at Regions Hospital for gunshot wounds to the leg and buttock.
Hill agreed to speak with St. Paul Police investigators and reported that he heard gunshots at the time of the incident. Further investigation revealed that Andre Johnson was the shooter.
Armed with a search warrant, St. Paul Police picked up the defendant at his Crow Wing County residence along with shell casings that matched those found at the scene of the shooting.
Johnson will make his first appearance in Ramsey District Court on Thursday afternoon at the Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center.
