Jawan Carroll sentenced to 69 years in deadly Minneapolis nightclub shooting

MINNEAPOLIS -- Jawan Carroll, who was convicted for opening fire outside a Minneapolis nightclub and killing two people in May of 2021, was sentenced to more than 69 years in prison. 

The shooting happened outside Monarch nightclub. Police say 10 people were shot in a gunfight between Carroll another another man, who also died. Charlie Johnson, a University of St. Thomas student who was out celebrating his impending graduation, was struck by a stray bullet.

"Charlie was the opposite of the violence that took his life," Greg Johnson, Charlie's father, told the judge at Friday's sentencing hearing. "Charlie was kind, gentle, empathetic, caring human being. He built for the world with his hands and with his heart."

Carroll was charged with two counts of second-degree murder and seven counts of attempted murder. The jury found him guilty of all counts in October.

"Everything in our lives is different and none of it is better," Johnson added.

Prosecutors pushed for Carroll to receive a 102-year sentence. The defense argued for 30 years. In the end, Carroll received 326 months for each murder count and 180 months for the attempted murder counts.

Carroll also addressed the judge on Friday - as well as the Johnson family. During the trial he argued his actions were in self defense during a gunfight.

"To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, I ask for forgiveness and I hope one day you both will realize my true intentions. It was never my intention to take someone so precious and valuable from you," Carroll lamented, before turning his attention to the judge. "While it's easier to put yourself in the victim's shoes, I ask you put yourself in my shoes along with the circumstances as well."

Carroll also offered to meet with the Johnson family to offer his condolences personally.

"If you ever with to speak with me for closure or consoling, that door will always be open."

After the hearing, Greg Johnson told WCCO he is "not interested" in the offer and said he considered it "insincere."

He did, however, listen for a few moments as Carroll's family members approached him and apologized.

Carroll had been awaiting trial on a separate shooting back in 2019 when he committed the 2021 shootings. Court documents state that in 2019, there was a confrontation in front of a Pizza Luce restaurant and someone started shooting. Pizza Luce is just steps from where the 2021 shootings happened. 

Carroll was also arrested and charged with second-degree assault for the 2019 case. He posted bond and was released.