Teen charged in fatal bus shooting in St. Paul

ST. PAUL
A local teen was charged Wednesday in the shooting death of another teen on a Metro Transit bus in downtown early Sunday.

Jerome P. Cross, 17, of St. Paul, was charged in Ramsey County District Court with second-degree murder in the death of Earl Freeman, 16.

Prosecutors also filed documents to certify Cross for prosecution in adult court.

Cross denied the shooting and volunteered to take a gunshot residue test and give a DNA sample. His family and friends also say he is innocent.

The criminal complaint filed in the case said the shooting was the culmination of a fight between two groups of people on board the bus.

The complaint said a witness told police Cross stepped off the bus and then stepped back in and pointed the gun at Freeman and the person sitting next to him. Freeman yelled, “He’s got a gun!”

The witness said he ducked down and heard a shot. Freeman fell over. Another witness confirmed that information, according to the complaint. A medical examiner’s report indicated Freeman died of a single gunshot wound to the chest.

A video camera captured images of Freeman getting on the bus with a group of people. Later, Cross – holding a dark glove – and others were filmed getting on the bus. A fight ensued near where Freeman was sitting.

After the shooting, police searched the surrounding area. In an alley they found a pair of dark brown gloves and a silver semiautomatic handgun, among other things.

Also Wednesday, officers arrested seven teens at Arlington High School, when the feud that led to Sunday’s shooting allegedly boiled over again. Police said the fight was part of a long-standing feud.

The seven teens face possible suspension, said district spokesman Casey Mahon.

Neither Cross nor Freeman were students at Arlington.

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