On October 23, 2023, a tragic incident occurred in St. Paul, Minnesota, resulting in the death of 23-year-old David Isaac. The incident took place shortly after midnight in the city's West Side neighborhood, specifically in the 400 block of South Clinton Avenue. Police responded to a report of a person down on the ground behind a home, where they discovered Isaac suffering from a gunshot wound.
Investigators later determined that Isaac had been part of a group of young men filming a Snapchat video earlier that night. The group was seen running around the area, and some were observed carrying bottles of liquor and guns. Surveillance footage captured a moment where one of the men, later identified as 20-year-old Justice Glaspie, jumped on Isaac's back and spun him around.
According to witness statements, there were no apparent arguments or conflicts before the shooting. However, one of the men present told police that Glaspie had shot Isaac, possibly becoming upset during what seemed to be playful interaction. Glaspie initially attempted to blame someone else for the shooting but eventually admitted to the act.
Glaspie claimed that he had purchased the gun a couple of months earlier for protection and alleged that Isaac had tried to rob him two months prior to the incident. He stated that he had planned to rob Isaac that night but shot him when Isaac allegedly tried to grab the gun. Glaspie described the moment as 'seeing red' and later disposed of the weapon in the Mississippi River.
On November 16, 2023, nearly a month after the incident, St. Paul police arrested Justice Glaspie in connection with Isaac's death. Glaspie now faces a second-degree murder charge, which carries a potential sentence of up to 40 years in prison.
The death of David Isaac marked the 29th homicide in St. Paul for the year 2023. His funeral was held in the week preceding November 17, 2023, as the community mourned the loss of the young man known to some as 'Ballaholic'.
