Two charged in Little Earth shooting

Rico King and Georgina Kellum were charged in connection with the shootings at Little Earth, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced today.

King, 21, of Minneapolis, was charged with five counts of second-degree assault and one count of second-degree riot. Kellum, 35, of Crystal, was charged with one count of aiding an offender-accomplice after the fact. They will make their first court appearance Monday.

In addition, a 14-year-old boy was arrested in relation to the shootings. Because of his age, the case and proceedings are non-public, so no additional information can be provided at this time.

“I appreciate the people of Little Earth and the police who have worked hard to get rid of the drugs and the violence,” Freeman said. “It’s tragic because this is a break from the successes they have had. What is a 14-year-old doing with a gun? Society has to do more to remove handguns from the streets. I call on the Minnesota Legislature to do more.”

According to the complaint, Minneapolis Police arrived at the Little Earth housing complex about 7:45 p.m. Wednesday and encountered a crowd of about 50 people, including six who were wounded by gunfire.

At the scene, police recovered numerous discharged cartridge casings and several firearms, including an assault rifle, the complaint states. Witnesses and video indicated that the main shooters were King and the 14-year-old. The third gunman who was carrying the assault rifle appeared to be unable to get it out of his clothing and so did not fire any shots.

Kellum wound up with the gun used by the 14-year-old not long after the shooting ended. Kellum lied to police investigators about knowing anything about the gun but when she was booked into the jail, deputies confiscated the gun which she had hidden on her body, according to the complaint.

Two of the shooting victims remain in critical conditions and the investigation is continuing.

Prosecutors are seeking bail of $200,000 each for King and Kellum.

King Criminal Complaints (PDF)

Kellum Criminal Complaint (PDF)