AMC Theatre Parking Lot Shooting: 2 Teens Face Riot Charges

INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, MN — Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom announced Wednesday that two teens — ages 17 and 16 — have been charged with riot and assault in connection with a Saturday shooting in Inver Grove Heights that left 19-year-old Billy Ray Robles dead.

Motions were filed to charge the teens as adults. Their names have not yet been released to the public.

On March 24 at about 1:30 a.m., Inver Grove Heights police were dispatched to the parking lot of the AMC Theatre on a report of a fight and shots fired.

Officers found Robles with gunshot wounds to his chest. He was transported to Regions Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The shooting took place after a party bus dropped Robles and others off at the theatre parking lot, investigators determined.

Those involved in the shooting were members of "east side" and "west side" groups, according to police. The two groups had been arguing throughout the night while on the bus.

When the bus returned to the theatre parking lot, the groups exited and witnesses said the west side group started chasing the east side group.

Through witness statements, the two teens who fired guns were identified and charged.

Backstrom said the investigation is continuing with the goal of identifying who fired the fatal shot. Additional charges are possible.

"This is another example of the senseless and tragic loss of life from gun violence in our community," Backstrom said in a statement. "It is extremely disturbing to see juveniles possessing and using firearms in this manner."

Read the redacted criminal complaint below:

On March 24 at about 1:30 a.m., Inver Grove Heights police were dispatched to the parking lot of the AMC Theatre on a report of a fight and shots fired.

Officers found Robles with gunshot wounds to his chest. He was transported to Regions Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The shooting took place after a party bus dropped Robles and others off at the theatre parking lot, investigators determined.

Those involved in the shooting were members of "east side" and "west side" groups, according to police. The two groups had been arguing throughout the night while on the bus.

When the bus returned to the theatre parking lot, the groups exited and witnesses said the west side group started chasing the east side group.

Through witness statements, the two teens who fired guns were identified and charged.

Read the redacted criminal complaint below:

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