ICYMI: Minnesota MURDER Shocker—Teens ‘HUNT’ and Gun Down Man in Front of Family!
Two Minnesota teens face murder charges after fatally shooting a man in the Frogtown neighborhood of St. Paul. 🌐 #News #StPaulMN #Minnesota #Crime
ST. PAUL, MN – A deadly ambush in the Frogtown neighborhood of St. Paul, Minnesota left a 24-year-old father dead and two teenagers facing murder charges. On November 5, 2024, Dejaun Hemphill was walking with his cousins when he was shot in the back of the head near Rice Street and University Avenue. The suspects, 19-year-old Jehovah Mekieyale Nelson and 18-year-old Kenneth Eugene Terry, were arrested days later after a trail of video evidence tied them to the crime.
Fatal Shooting Rocks Frogtown Neighborhood
Late that afternoon, Hemphill and his cousins headed to Sunrise Grocery and Tobacco, stopping at an ATM along the way.
Around 4:40 p.m., they entered the store. Terry was already inside, watching them. Minutes later, as the group left, surveillance footage caught Terry peering out the window.
By 4:54 p.m., cameras in a nearby parking lot near Sunrise Bank recorded Nelson and Terry running toward the group. Nelson took a firing stance and shot, dropping Hemphill to the ground.
Police nearby heard the gunshots and found three .40 caliber casings on University Avenue West. Hemphill, unresponsive, was rushed to Regions Hospital but died 10 days later from his injuries.
Evidence Points to Suspects
Investigators used video from multiple sources to identify the teens.
The day before, Nelson appeared on camera near University Avenue and Lexington Parkway in distinct clothes and a black mask.
On the shooting day, he wore the same outfit but with a white mask covering his face. Terry’s presence in the store and his behavior tied him to the plot.
Three days later, a separate Minneapolis incident—a car break-in and shooting—linked the pair again. Terry arrived at a hospital with a graze wound, dropped off by a GMC Terrain containing Nelson’s school ID and a white Michael Myers mask matching the shooter’s disguise.
Phone searches later revealed photos and videos of the mask and a gun.
A Possible Motive Surfaces
A woman who shares a child with Terry told police the attack might stem from jealousy. She had been spending time with Hemphill’s younger brother, which reportedly angered Terry.
This personal conflict could explain why Hemphill, a father to a four-month-old son, became a target, according to a GoFundMe page set up for his funeral costs. Learn more here.
Charges and Arrests
Nelson faces one count of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree attempted murder. Terry is charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder. Both were arrested on Thursday and appeared in court the next day, now held at Ramsey County Jail.
The case marks a tragic end for Hemphill and a swift response from law enforcement.
Honoring the Victim
In the wake of this tragic loss, we lift up Dejaun Hemphill’s family, especially his young son and grieving loved ones, who now face an unimaginable void. The Frogtown community, too, mourns a life cut short by violence.
We can find solace in Psalm 34:18, where Scripture assures us that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit, offering hope amid sorrow. May peace and strength envelop all touched by this heartache.
RELATED TOPICS: Crime | Minnesota
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