Michigan resident pleads guilty to murder, agrees to more than 41-year prison sentence

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced today that her office had secured a guilty plea from Deaje Anthony Mayfield, 20, of Flint, Michigan, with an agreement for a 495-month prison sentence. Mayfield pled guilty to one count of second-degree murder and one count of attempted second-degree murder and admitted shooting two individuals during a drug deal in south Minneapolis on April 6, 2022. Sentencing is scheduled for May 4, 2023, at 9 a.m.

“Partnering with law enforcement to hold drug dealers and those who commit violent crime accountable is one of my top priorities,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. “This was a horrific, senseless act of gun violence. Our team put together a strong case and we are grateful for the investigative work that allowed us to bring charges and deliver justice for the victims, their families, and the community."

According to the criminal complaint, Minneapolis police were called to an apartment in south Minneapolis at approximately 8:33 p.m. on April 6, 2022, in response to a shooting. Officers found an adult male victim, later determined to be deceased, on the floor of the apartment with wounds to his head and body. Officers also found an adult female victim with gunshot wounds to her head and neck. The female victim survived but will live with significant permanent impairments.

Video of the incident showed Mayfield first shot the male victim several times in the back, suddenly and unprovoked, and then twice in the head after the victim fell to the floor. When the female victim tried to escape the apartment, Mayfield blocked her from leaving before shooting her. Mayfield fled to Michigan where he was later apprehended and extradited to Minnesota to face these charges.

Deaje Anthony Mayfield Criminal Complaint (PDF)