MINNEAPOLIS, MN – A Minneapolis man has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder in connection with the April shooting death of a man near 31st Avenue North and Fourth Street, according to the Minneapolis Police Department.
Chrisean Marcelous Criddell, 29, is accused of shooting Marvin Ray McCowen, 43, from inside a vehicle during an April 2 confrontation in north Minneapolis. Criddell also faces a second-degree murder charge tied to an alleged drive-by shooting, according to MPD.
The charges were filed by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office and highlighted by Minneapolis police July 23, more than three months after the shooting.
Police initially responded to the area shortly after 1:18 a.m. April 2 after a 911 caller reported hearing a single gunshot followed by someone yelling for help. Officers found McCowen in the street with a life-threatening gunshot wound and provided medical aid before he was taken to Hennepin Healthcare, where he later died. The Minnesota Star Tribune reported that the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as McCowen and determined his death was a homicide.
A subsequent KSTP report on the charges provides additional details from the criminal complaint.
According to the complaint as reported by KSTP, witnesses heard one gunshot followed by a man crying for help. One witness saw an SUV leaving the area. Investigators also reviewed surveillance footage that showed a white Chevrolet Tahoe in the area at the time of the shooting. The vehicle was later determined to have been stolen, according to the report.
Investigators also reviewed McCowen’s cellphone and found a conversation with an account belonging to Criddell, according to the charging documents. The messages reportedly involved plans for Criddell to pick McCowen up to get gas. KSTP reported that threatening messages were exchanged after Criddell initially could not locate McCowen.
A woman who investigators interviewed later told police that she was riding in the Tahoe with Criddell on the night of the shooting. According to KSTP’s account of the complaint, she said McCowen got out of his vehicle and began arguing with Criddell, who allegedly pulled out a gun and shot McCowen while seated inside the vehicle.
Criddell previously told investigators he was helping McCowen get gas but denied that the two had argued, according to KSTP. He also reportedly said he did not have his phone with him that night.
The July 23 MPD update says Criddell allegedly shot McCowen through the driver’s-side window while seated in a vehicle.
Criddell is in custody, according to KSTP, and his next court hearing is scheduled for Aug. 21. The Hennepin County Jail roster provides current custody information.
The charges against Criddell are allegations. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
