AMC Theatre Parking Lot Shooting: Teen Pleads Guilty To Riot

Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom announced that a 16-year-old from Saint Paul pled guilty Tuesday morning to one count of riot in the first degree (committed for the benefit of a gang) in connection with the shooting incident in the early morning hours of Saturday, March 24 in the Inver Grove Heights AMC movie theatre parking lot.

During the incident, 19-year-old Billy Ray Robles of Saint Paul was shot and died as a result of the gunshot wounds.

Judge Michael Mayer sentenced the teen to 60 months in prison, but stayed execution of the sentence and placed the him under extended teen court jurisdiction until he reaches age 21. Under court rules, the case will be transferred to Ramsey County Juvenile Court for final disposition as the teen is a resident of Ramsey County.

Should he violate any terms or conditions imposed by the court he could be required to serve the 60 month prison sentence as an adult, according to authorities.

As a result, the state agreed that it would not proceed with a motion to certify the teen as an adult.

Backstrom said that evidence from the investigation showed the teen possessed and discharged a firearm during the incident, but that he did not fire the fatal shots.

Dakota County Attorney’s Office does not release names of juveniles charged with felonies unless they are certified to stand trial as adults.

Previous charges in this case

• A second 16-year-old pled guilty to one count of riot in connection with the shooting May 1.
• A 17-year-old was charged with the felony offenses of attempted murder, assault, and riot
• Taishawn Taquan Smith, 18, of Crystal was charged with the felony offense of riot

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.

Read the redacted criminal complaint below:

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