2 charged in string of robberies, shooting of Minneapolis musician

Two 35-year-olds face several charges of aggravated robbery and one count of second-degree assault.

October 13, 2018 at 2:17AM
Aaron Lee and Katie Szczepaniak were victims of a violent mugging in Northeast Minneapolis Friday night.
Aaron Lee and Katie Szczepaniak were victims of a violent mugging in Northeast Minneapolis on Oct. 5. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Two people have been arrested and charged in a string of Minneapolis robberies, including one in which a popular Minneapolis musician was shot and wounded.

Natalie Nicole Box of Hibbing, Minn., and Jonell Butler of LaPlace, La., both 35, face several charges of aggravated robbery and one count of second-degree assault in robberies on Sept. 8, Oct. 5 and Oct. 6, Minneapolis police announced Friday. Additional charges are likely, police say.

Jonell Butler, left, and Natalie Nicole Box, both 35, are charged in string of armed robberies and the shooting of a musician.
(Vince Tuss/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Butler is suspected of shooting and wounding musician Aaron Lee late on Oct. 5 on the corner of 13th Avenue NE. and NE. 4th Street just before Lee's band, Red Daughters, was slated to play at the nearby 331 Club. The shooting came just after Lee and his girlfriend, Katie Szczepaniak, were forced to turn over their wallets to a man identified as Butler. After shooting Lee, Butler jumped into the passenger seat of a waiting car that sped away, according to charges filed in Hennepin County District Court.

According to the charges, Box was driving the car, which belonged to her mother. She is Butler's girlfriend, the charges say.

Lee remains hospitalized in stable condition after undergoing three surgeries. There has been an outpouring of emotional and financial support for him.

STAFF REPORT

Jonell Butler, left, and Natalie Nicole Box, both 35, are charged in string of armed robberies and the shooting of a musician.
Jonell Butler, left, and Natalie Nicole Box, both 35, are charged in string of armed robberies and the shooting of a musician. (Vince Tuss/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Suspect Jonell Butler charged in string of armed robberies and the shooting of a musician.
Suspect Jonell Butler charged in string of armed robberies and the shooting of a musician. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Suspect Natalie Box charged in string of armed robberies and the shooting of a musician.
Suspect Natalie Box charged in string of armed robberies and the shooting of a musician. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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