A Hennepin County jury has convicted the man suspected of shooting and killing Tyrone Williams.
On Tuesday, the jury found Sid Strickland-Green, 28, guilty of second-degree unintentional homicide in the April 3, 2108 shooting. The jury deliberated for eleven hours over two days before returning with the verdict.
Tyrone Williams, 33, had just left his mother’s home near 8th and Elwood Avenue North when the shooting occurred. The Minneapolis community knew him well as an advocate for civil and human rights.
“All murders are a tragedy, but the death of Mr. Williams is particularly painful,” said Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman. “He was a good father, having just read to his children and heading to his job. But he had invested some of his free time to making his community a better place.”
Freeman said the defense tried to convince the jury that the prosecution’s chief witness was the shooter, but the jury didn’t believe it.
SUSPECT SOUGHT IN KILLING OF MINNEAPOLIS ACTIVIST
According to investigators, Williams came out of his mother’s home when he greeted Strickland-Green and another witness. Days before Strickland-Green and Williams were in some kind of altercation at the Red Dragon restaurant. As the witness left the scene, Strickland-Green went to his car and got a gun. The witness looked back and saw Williams stumble backwards. Another woman walking from the bus stop heard shots and saw Williams fall.
Investigators said Strickland-Green went on the run, first to Duluth and then to Mississippi, but was later caught.
A judge will sentence Strickland-Green on February 11; prosecutors will be looking for a maximum sentence.
