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Madeleine Baran
St. Paul, Minn.

Two men charged in pawn shop killing

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The Hennepin County Attorney's Office has charged two men in connection with Monday's fatal shooting at a Richfield pawn shop.

Johnny Lawvill Perry, 30, of St. Paul, and Calvin Lee Anderson, 46, of Fridley, were both charged Thursday with first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder.

The two suspects are accused of robbing Avi Pawn and Jewelry shop in the 6400 block of Nicollet Ave. South at about 6 p.m. Monday night. The criminal complaint charges that Perry shot a customer and an employee as they attempted to flee the store.

"He realizes now that he killed a man," the criminal complaint said.

The customer, Malcolm Davon Cowens, 33, of Minneapolis, later died at Hennepin County Medical Center. The employee was treated for gunshot injuries to the arm, and is recovering.

An individual identified the suspects from surveillance images released to the public and contacted the Richfield Police.

Andy Strauss, the pawn shop's owner, reached after the arrests Wednesday, said he was relieved that the suspects were apprehended.

"I appreciate the hard work of law enforcement and support of the community," Strauss said. "This was a very tragic event, and I'm gratified it has been resolved so rapidly. And I hope justice will be served."

The suspects stole an undisclosed amount of money from the cash register, according to police investigators.

Perry was previously convicted of domestic assault in 2006, and two separate counts of driving while intoxicated.

If convicted, Perry and Anderson face life sentences. They remain in custody at Hennepin County Jail.