Minneapolis nightclub shooting: Jawan Carroll sentenced to nearly 70 years
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The man convicted of murder for a mass shooting outside a Minneapolis nightclub in 2021 was sentenced to nearly 70 years in prison on Friday afternoon.
Hennepin County District Court Judge Paul Scoggin sentenced Jawan Carroll to 832 months after he was convicted in October on nine counts of murder and attempted murder after trading gunfire with a rival on the sidewalk outside the Monarch Nightclub last year.
The other gunman, Christopher Jones, was killed, along with an innocent bystander Charlie Johnson, 21, who was about to graduate from St. Thomas. Seven others were injured in the shooting.
RELATED: Newly released video shows deadly mass shooting outside Minneapolis nightclub
The prosecution asked for 1,224 months (102 years) behind bars, with the prosecutor on Friday describing getting "justice for every victim" in the shooting. He pointed out the suggested sentence is far less than Carroll is technically facing based on his nine convictions. During the hearing, the prosecutor detailed a plea offer for Carroll before trial where he would have pled guilty to two counts of murder and served 51 years in prison. The state wanted him to own his actions and accept responsibility, but Carroll turned down the offer.
Carroll claimed self-defense, but the jury convicted him. Carroll spoke during Friday's hearing, continuing to claim self-defense saying it was shoot or be killed. He said he never meant to shoot anyone beyond his intended target, Jones.
He asked Johnson's parents to one day forgive him and said he'll leave the door open to speak someday if they need closure.
Carroll also described the "prejudicial" verdict as not being in accordance with the law. He blamed the jury and the media for his guilty verdict and asked the judge to take all facts into account before imposing a sentence.
Newly released video shows deadly mass shooting outside Minneapolis nightclub
The mass shooting outside the Monarch Nightclub last year killed two and left more than half-a-dozen injured. The sidewalk shootout between two armed men created panic on the streets of downtown Minneapolis and left the entire University of Saint Thomas community grief stricken over graduation weekend.
His defense attorney during sentencing said he did not intend to kill anyone that day and asked for a 30-year prison sentence for Carroll. His attorney added Carroll wants to send his "thoughts and prayers to everyone who has suffered as a result of this case" and asked the judge to put himself in Carroll's shoes that night. The attorney added that gun violence in society — particularly among Black males — needs to stop.
During the hearing, Jones' sister spoke about losing her other half. Johnson's father also spoke, holding back tears while describing his late son to the court.