Monticello man sentenced for role in gunfight that led to death of Twin Cities firefighter

Marquise Trevone Hammonds-Ford, 29, was sentenced to 6 ½ years for his participation in a May shootout in the Seward neighborhood of Minneapolis that led to the death of off-duty firefighter Joseph C. Johns. Mr. Hammonds-Ford pleaded guilty to one count of prohibited possession of a firearm on Oct. 1, 2024.

The sentence is an upward departure from the sentencing guidelines due to the fact that Mr. Hammonds-Ford's conduct was more serious than a typical case, in that he fired his weapon multiple times in a crowded area. Although forensic evidence established that Mr. Hammonds-Ford did not fire the shot that directly caused Mr. Johns’s death, Mr. Hammonds-Ford played a principal role in instigating the shootout by firing his gun into the air over the heads of a group of people.

Mr. Johns served as a firefighter in Eden Prairie and Eagan. According to witness accounts, he was helping direct foot and vehicle traffic when he was shot and was not involved in any confrontation.

“My thoughts are with Mr. Johns’ family today,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. “While someone else fired the fatal shot, Mr. Hammonds-Ford committed a reckless act of gun violence, instigating a shootout that took the life of a member of our community and a dedicated firefighter. This sentence is necessary to hold him accountable for his role in Mr. Johns’ death and preserve public safety.”

Case Number: 27-CR-24-10564

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