Charges filed in connection with shooting at Little Earth housing complex in Minneapolis

The cul-de-sac where 6 people were injured sits empty.
The cul-de-sac where six people were injured sits empty on the Little Earth housing complex in Minneapolis on Thursday, May 3, 2018.
Evan Frost | MPR News

Updated: 5:50 p.m. | Posted: 3:50 p.m.

Prosecutors on Friday announced felony charges against two people in connection with a shooting Wednesday evening at the Little Earth housing complex.

One of the suspected shooters, a 14-year-old boy, was also arrested, but authorities could not discuss the case against him because of his age.

According to the charges filed in Hennepin County, Rico King, 21, of Minneapolis and Georgina Kellum, 35, of Crystal were part of the group behind the chaotic scene at Little Earth.

Police say they arrived to find more than 50 people in a parking lot where six people ages 14 to 46 had been hit by gunfire. Two remain in critical condition.

King is charged with five counts of second-degree assault and one count of second-degree riot armed with a dangerous weapon. Kellum is charged with one count of aiding an offender after the fact.

The criminal complaint says King was caught on surveillance video firing a weapon. A 14-year-old also was seen firing a gun. Police say Kellum took that gun and tried to cover for the teen.

The complaint also said a third gunman appeared to be carrying an assault-style rifle, but when the shooting began, it appears he was unable to get the firearm out from under his clothing.

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman spoke with the media about the case on Friday afternoon, and noted in particular the alleged involvement of the teen in the shooting.

"What's a 14-year-old doing with a handgun shooting people up?" he said. "Police and prosecutors do what we can. The police arrest everyone who has a gun that they shouldn't have. We charge all the felons in possession with that crime and we convict a lot of them. But society has got to do more about removing handguns off the streets. And I call on the Minnesota Legislature to do more."

Freeman said that his office is reviewing the teen's record for any prior offenses. As of Friday afternoon, it did not appear the 14-year-old would face adult charges. Freeman noted that it's rare for prosecutors to file adult charges against someone so young.

King and Kellum are both in custody in the Hennepin County Jail; they're scheduled to make their first court appearances Monday.

Freeman said he could not identify or provide any additional information about the status of the 14-year-old.