A third teen has been charged in connection with last month’s killing of a 19-year-old St. Paul man outside a party bus in Inver Grove Heights.
Samson Chu, 16, of St. Paul, was charged last week with first-degree riot and second-degree assault in the March 24 killing of Billy Robles, which happened in the parking lot of AMC Showplace 16 during a fight between two gangs that had been on the party bus.
The Dakota County attorney’s office announced the charges this week, without naming Chu, citing its policy of not releasing the names of juveniles charged with felonies until they are certified to stand trial as adults.
Court documents identify Chu as a shooting suspect, as well as Trashaun Nij Morris, 17, and Daunte Maurice Martin, 16, both of St. Paul, who were charged March 28 with the same two crimes.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Marshals Service on Tuesday arrested Morris in Minneapolis. He had been on the lam since the shooting, despite a national arrest warrant and manhunt.
Chu was arrested Thursday and made an initial court appearance Monday, the Dakota County attorney’s office said.
Chu, Martin and Morris remained in custody at the Dakota County Juvenile Services Center in Hastings late Tuesday.
Authorities say the investigation continues to determine who fired the fatal shot that killed Robles, a rapper from St. Paul’s West Side who performed in videos under the moniker BillyThaKidd. Guns have been recovered, according to police.
According to a criminal complaint against Chu:
Chu was shot in his leg and rushed from the scene in a car that police soon pulled over on U.S. 52, near Butler Avenue in West St. Paul. He was treated at Regions Hospital in St. Paul and released.
Chu told investigators that members of the “East Side” and “West Side” groups had been arguing on the party bus throughout the night. He said he was affiliated with the West Side group.
When the bus returned to the movie theater parking lot, members of the East Side group exited first, followed by the West Side group. The West Side group then started chasing the East Side group.
Chu said he saw two members of the East Side group turn and fire at the West Side group. The shooters were later identified as Morris and Martin.
A witness told investigators that Chu fell to the ground, pulled out a gun and fired three times toward a male that was shooting at him.
Another witness said that when Chu fired his gun, it jammed, but he was able to clear it and shoot again. The witness estimated that Chu shot eight or nine rounds.
Detectives have obtained a cell phone video that shows Chu holding a handgun in his right hand and Morris holding a handgun wrapped in a white cloth.
Witnesses also identified Martin and Morris in photo lineups as shooters, according to the criminal complaint.
According to court documents, St. Paul police identify Chu as being with West Side gangs and he was recently arrested for terroristic threats in connection with an armed robbery. He has a history of felony offenses and gross misdemeanor credit card fraud and is on probation in Ramsey County.
Chu is at risk for retaliation from gang members, and accusations of “snitching” have been made on both sides, a court document read.
“According to the Inver Grove Heights Police Department, threats of physical harm and death have been publicly made toward members of both gangs in reference to any person suspected of providing information to law enforcement in regard to the criminal investigation of (Robles’) death,” a court document read.
Chu, Martin and Morris have been charged as juveniles in Dakota County District Court; however, motions have been filed to prosecute them as adults. Murder charges are possible, the Dakota County attorney’s office said.