AMC Theatre Parking Lot Shooting: Teen Pleads Guilty To Murder

INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, MN — A fourth person has been sentenced in the fatal shooting of a Billy Ray Robles, the teenager killed in a movie theatre parking lot in Inver Grove Heights.

Trashaun Morris, 18, from St. Paul, was sentenced Monday to 128 months in prison for murder in the second degree (without intent to kill). Morris was 17 at the time of the shooting and was certified to stand trial as an adult.

"We are pleased to have brought those responsible for the senseless death of Billy Ray Robles to justice," Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said in a statement.

Below is a summary of other cases involved in this incident:

A 16-year-old male from St. Paul pled guilty May 15, 2018 to one count of riot (committed for the benefit of a gang) and was sentenced to 60 months in prison. Judge Michael Mayer stayed the execution of the sentence and placed the juvenile under extended juvenile court jurisdiction until he reaches 21.

Another 16-year-old male from St. Paul pled guilty May 1, 2018 to one count of riot and was sentenced to 48 months in prison. Judge Joseph Carter stayed execution of the sentence and placed the juvenile under extended court jurisdiction until he reaches 21.

Taishawn Taquan Smith, 18, of Crystal, pled guilty Sept. 13, 2018 to one count of riot and was sentenced to 13 months in prison. Judge Dennis O’Brien gave him credit for 163 days in jail, probation for five years and stayed the execution of this sentence.

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, according to authorities.

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