Charges: Hooded Sweatshirt Sparked Fatal Shooting in Minneapolis
Charges have been filed against Jason Jerrell Herron, 38, following the fatal shooting of a man in South Minneapolis on September 3, 2024.
Herron is charged with second-degree murder with intent but without premeditation. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.
Minneapolis police say officers responded to a report of gunfire near the intersection of 1st Avenue South and East 19th Street at approximately 7:00 p.m. When officers arrived, they found a man in his 20s lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds. Despite efforts by police and EMS personnel, the victim died at the scene. Officers recovered three discharged cartridge casings near the victim’s body.
Investigators later obtained surveillance footage showing the moments leading up to the shooting. According to the complaint, the video captured an argument between Herron and the victim. During the altercation, Sanders removed an item from a fanny pack and pursued the victim around a parked car. The victim attempted to flee but was shot in the back by Herron. After the victim fell to the ground with his hands raised, Herron allegedly stood over him and fired two additional shots to the victim’s head before walking away.
Police arrested Herron two days later, on September 5, at a hotel. A search of a vehicle linked to Herron uncovered a fanny pack containing a 9-millimeter handgun with one round in the chamber and four in the magazine. In a post-Miranda interview, Herron admitted to shooting the victim, initially claiming he did not remember his actions due to drug use but later stating he acted in self-defense. Herron admitted he never saw a firearm in the victim’s possession but was suspicious because the victim was wearing a hooded sweatshirt on a warm day.
During a press conference, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara expressed frustration over the location of the shooting, noting that the area has been a focus of police efforts. "It’s frustrating because this is a location that we know has been problematic in the past. We do have police presence here. It’s frustrating knowing that we can’t prevent everything," O’Hara said.
The victim’s identity has not yet been released by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner, who is expected to provide further details on the cause of death.
Herron remains in custody. His next court appearance is scheduled for later this month.
The Minneapolis Police Department is continuing to investigate and is asking anyone with information about the incident to contact CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or submit tips anonymously online.
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