Minneapolis man pleads guilty to intentional second-degree murder for fatal shooting

Giovanni Williams pleaded guilty to intentional second-degree murder for fatally shooting a 45-year-old man during a drug deal robbery, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday.

Williams, 24, of Minneapolis, admitted in court Tuesday morning that he shot and killed Dattreas Stewart of Brooklyn Center at a Brooklyn Center gas station in December. As part of the plea agreement, Williams will be sentenced to 240 months in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for October 19 at 10 a.m.

According to the criminal complaint, police were called to the Pump n’ Munch gas station at 1505 69th Avenue North in Brooklyn Center around 9:15 p.m. on December 11. When law enforcement arrived, they found Stewart in the front passenger seat of a 2002 Chevy Blazer with his girlfriend who was screaming and holding an article of clothing against the victim’s head wound. Police and paramedics treated him, but Stewart died at the scene.

Stewart’s girlfriend told police that a man she knew as “Giovanni” shot the victim. She also informed police that earlier in the day, she had arranged with another person to sell an ounce of marijuana for $300. That other person put her in contact with Giovanni Williams, and the agreement was to meet at the gas station.

The woman drove to the gas station with Stewart in the passenger seat. Within minutes of arriving, a Chrysler 200 pulled into a parking spot next to the Chevy Blazer. Williams got out of the Chrysler 200 and climbed into the back seat of the Chevy Blazer. Williams talked with Stewart about the marijuana, then asked to smell it, the complaint states.

In his court appearance Tuesday, Williams admitted that he went to the gas station intending to rob Stewart. He further stated that when he pulled out his handgun, Stewart also pulled out his own gun. Williams said that he was scared, and he shot Stewart in the head before Stewart could use his gun.