3 indicted in fatal drive-by shooting
Published 10:32 am Thursday, October 23, 2014
ST. PAUL — A grand jury in Ramsey County has indicted three men in a 2012 fatal drive-by shooting.
Authorities said the three men opened fire on a house in St. Paul, riddling the home with bullets and killing 56-year-old Leonard Christian Sr., the unintended target. Police believe the shooting was gang-related and that the men were targeting Christian’s son.
Twenty-two-year-old Desean Thomas and 23-year-old Juan Martinez are charged with first-degree premeditated murder for the benefit of a gang. Twenty-two-year-old Ramone Smaller is charged with aiding an offender.
Christian is described as a soft-spoken man who was proud of his family painting business.