3 Charged In Mall Of America Shooting That Killed Teen: Authorities

BLOOMINGTON, MN — Three teens have been charged in connection with a shooting last week at the Mall of America that left a St. Paul man dead, authorities announced Thursday.

Taeshawn Adams-Wright, 18, faces charges of aiding and abetting second-degree intentional murder and aiding and abetting second-degree assault, according to the office of Hennepin County Attorney Michael Freeman. Two 17-year-olds, identified only by their initials, are charged with second-degree riot, Freeman’s office said.

Johntae Raymon Hudson, 19, was killed shortly before 8 p.m. Dec. 23 after a fight broke out between two groups at the mall, according to Bloomington police. During the altercation, which occurred in Nordstrom, someone pulled out a gun and shot the teenager multiple times, according to police.

The following morning, five people — two men, including Adams-Wright, and three boys — were arrested at an apartment building in St. Louis Park, police said.

“This continues to be an active investigation, and we expect additional arrests and criminal charges associated with this case in the near future,” Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges said Thursday in a news release.

Those involved in the case continue to be uncooperative, according to Hodges.

Wright and a teen identified in court records only by his or her initials fired at Hudson, the Star Tribune reported Thursday, adding Hudson was struck eight times and died at the scene. Wright remains in jail, with bail set at $1.5 million, police said. Prosecutors are seeking to charge one of the 17-year-olds as an adult, the Tribune reported.

A .40 caliber gun associated with Hudson was found near his body as were two of its casings, according to the Tribune.

Last week’s fatality marked the second shooting at the mall this year, and at least the third incident that involved a firearm.

The Mall of America, which opened in 1992, is among the largest malls in the world. Each year, an estimated 40 million people from around the world visit the mall.