Murder charge in community leader's death

A Minneapolis man was charged with murder in the shooting death of well-known community activist Tyrone Williams, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced Tuesday.

Sid Strickland-Green III, 27, was charged with two counts of second-degree murder in the death of the 33-year-old Williams as he was standing outside, not far from his family’s home. Strickland-Green was charged by warrant on April 10, but it was not public until his arrest this week.

Strickland-Green was scheduled to make his first appearance Tuesday afternoon.

“We are only announcing the charges today, but, in fact, thanks to the good work of Minneapolis police investigators, we were able to draw up the charges just a week after this senseless murder,” Freeman said. “We kept it sealed until Mr. Strickland-Green could be found and arrested. Mr. Williams was a leader in his community and to be gunned down over an argument is despicable and a great loss.”

According to the criminal complaint, police were called to a shooting just after 6 p.m. April 3 outside of 701 Elwood Ave. N. Police found Williams shot in the leg and the abdomen and he died a short time later at Hennepin County Medical Center.

A witness told police that two men were standing by their vehicles, a van and a yellow older sedan and that Williams was talking to the man near the yellow car, the complaint states. The witness kept walking, heard the shots and saw the two men get into their respective vehicles and drive away.

Police eventually found another witness who said he was talking to Strickland-Green when Williams came out and was getting into his car. Strickland-Green called to Williams, who came over and the two men began to argue, according to the complaint. The men asked the witness to come over and mediate the argument, but he refused and a short time later, Strickland-Green shot Williams.

Prosecutors are seeking bail of $1 million.

Strickland-Green Criminal Complaint (PDF)