Charges Reveal More Info on Early May Rochester Shooting

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Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Olmsted County prosecutors have brought charges against a young man and teenager for their alleged involvement in a Rochester shooting that happened in early May.

The criminal complaint against 20-year-old Demonte Simmons accuses him of attempting to rob a motorist and shooting him in the leg in the 400 block of 11th St. southeast. The alleged attempted robbery and shooting happened on May 2. 

As police were getting ready to execute one of three search warrants related to the investigation last week, they observed several individuals flee a residence that was set to be searched. One of the men that fled was identified as Simmons. The complaint says Simmons discarded a handgun that the shooting victim later identified as the weapon he was threatened with on May 2.

The victim and his girlfriend identified Simmons as the man that shot at and attempted to rob them. The victim was in the area on May 2 to sell a small amount of marijuana to an unknown party, according to the complaint. 

The complaint says Simmons and another individual, identified as 16-year-old Cavarion Kincaid, approached the victim's vehicle on May 2 and began tugging on the vehicle windows. The victim and his girlfriend told police Simmons pulled out a 9mm hand gun. The victim reported a white sedan pulled up to the area during the attempted robbery and the suspects told the victim the occupants were with them. The men fired upon the victim's vehicle as he pulled away.

The white sedan driver was identified as 19-year-old Moel Wade. Officers spotted his vehicle in the area shortly after the May 2 shooting. Wade was arrested in connection with the shooting earlier this month on suspicion of attempted murder, but the victim did not identify Wade as one of the suspects and officers say Wade was not in possession of the gun used in the attempted robbery. The Olmsted County Attorney says Wade has been released from custody pending further investigation.

Simmons and Kincaid are charged with first-degree aggravated robbery and second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon. Two other men were arrested and are facing drug charges after authorities executed three search warrants related to the shooting investigation in early July.