Man convicted for fatal Minneapolis parking lot shooting

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - A Minneapolis man was convicted of second-degree murder Friday for fatally shooting a woman in a parking lot last May, according to a release from the Hennepin County Attorney's Office.

Nicholas Jefferson, 32, faces more than 35 years in prison and will be sentenced July 11.

The incident in question stemmed from an argument between 26-year-old Lesha Wiley and her boyfriend Marvel Williams, who was in a car with Jefferson just prior to the shooting.

Police said the two were arguing with each other inside a business just after 3:00 p.m. on May 12, 2017 when Williams punched his girlfriend in the face. She was holding a baby at the time, and set the infant down before following Williams out of the store to spray him with mace. 

Jefferson, who was nearby in a car at the time, fired a shot at the woman through the passenger window. She later died.

Williams pleaded guilty to aiding an offender and testified against Jefferson. He will be sentenced June 20.