Police: 1 Killed, 1 Injured After Refusing To Buy Alcohol For Underage Suspects
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Maplewood police say a 25-year-old man was shot and killed this weekend because he refused to buy alcohol for at least three underage suspects.
Now, police are asking for help in finding the young suspects who shot and killed Terrence Woods. Police released a surveillance image of a small white sedan in hopes it might lead to a helpful tip.
At around 8:40 p.m. Saturday, Woods was with two friends, Jamil Ellis and another man. Ellis told police the underage suspects approached them as they were walking into Merwin's Liquor store on Rice Street in Maplewood.
Ellis told police the men started arguing with them when they said they would not buy liquor for them. When Woods and his friends came out of the liquor store, the suspects in the car then opened fire.
Woods was shot and died later at Regions Hospital. Ellis was shot in the leg and is expected to survive.
Woods' cousin, Tyrone Thompson, said Woods was a devoted single dad to his 3-year-old son.
"It's hard. He is going to be there by himself, 3-year-old, it's hard," Thompson said.
Woods' boss and co-worker at Wingstop Restaurant in St. Paul say they are heartbroken. Diana Cox, the restaurant owner, says she was also planning to promote Woods to general manager.
"He did the right thing. He refused to buy liquor for a minor. He didn't deserve to die for that," Cox said.
On Monday afternoon, Maplewood police released a man they had arrested over the weekend because it appears he has an alibi.
The police chief says it's shocking that refusing to buy liquor could lead to this.
"It's hard to fathom that an exchange of words could result in people shooting at and ultimately killing another person," Chief Paul Schnell said.
Anyone with any information is asked to either call 911 or the Maplewood police. You can also send police an anonymous text to TIP411 (847411). In the text, you should write Maplewood and then give the information.