Charge: Confrontation between strangers led to fatal shooting at Lake Street store in Minneapolis

A confrontation between two strangers led to a fatal shooting at a Minneapolis convenience store last week, according to a criminal complaint.

Chaz E. Stubblefield, 33, of Minneapolis, was charged Friday in Hennepin County District Court with second-degree intentional murder in connection with Wednesday's shooting of 46-year-old Ryan K. Decker, of St. Cloud, outside the Stop N Shop at 1700 E. Lake St.

Stubblefield remained jailed Monday in lieu of $700,000 bail ahead of a court hearing on April 26. A message left with his attorney seeking comment was not returned.

According to the complaint, Decker was in town to help a woman move. They stopped at the store shortly before midnight for a beverage, but Decker decided to leave because the security guard was being rude. Video surveillance revealed the guard told him that he needed to wear a mask to remain inside.

On his way out, Decker brushed Stubblefield, who then punched Decker in the back, followed him outside and accused him of uttering a racial epithet. After Decker denied the accusation, Stubblefield spit in his face and shot him.

Stubblefield told police that he shot Decker. He said he told Decker, "You can say 'excuse me' " after the physical contact was made, and Decker responded with the epithet. Decker repeated the epithet and either pushed or touched him, Stubblefield told police.

Stubblefield said he then shot Decker, and threw the gun in the river.

Paul Walsh