Hennepin County Attorney’s Office secures sentence for September 2023 fatal shooting

The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office today secured a sentence against a man convicted of killing another man at a homeless encampment over $20.

A jury found Kenneth Joel McKinnis guilty of second-degree murder for fatally shooting Curtis Johnson (known as Blow), in South Minneapolis in September 2023. McKinnis was sentenced to 35.5 years in prison (426 months) w/ credit for 308 days served today.

“We want to thank the people who had been living in the encampment for their bravery in testifying against Mr. McKinnis,” said Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty. “Unhoused people may have to overcome struggles with mental health, substance use, lack of transportation and mistrust in the system just to show up to testify. People across our entire office worked closely to provide the necessary support. It is satisfying to all of us to provide justice for Blow, his family and his community.”

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