On August 2, 2023, 21-year-old Jonathan Andrew Wade of St. Cloud, Minnesota, died from a gunshot wound to the head in a St. Paul residence. The incident occurred around 11 p.m. on the 90 block of West Manitoba Avenue. Another individual, 22-year-old Damound Jahema Franks, sustained a non-life-threatening head injury and was transported to Regions Hospital.
According to Wade's brother, Wade and Franks were handling firearms and pointing them at each other when the weapons discharged,
resulting in both being struck in the head. Franks' girlfriend, 20-year-old Andrea Marie Thomas, was observed on surveillance footage discarding a pink backpack containing the firearms near the scene. She later informed authorities that she was unaware of the bag's contents and acted out of fear when instructed to remove it.
Franks faced charges including second-degree manslaughter, illegal firearm possession, and possession of stolen property. In February 2024, he was sentenced to over six years in prison after pleading guilty to the manslaughter charge; the other charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement. Thomas was charged with two counts of aiding an offender, with her trial scheduled for late February 2024.
Wade's unexpected death deeply affected his family and community. A GoFundMe campaign organized by his sister-in-law, Zanesha Lewis, described him as a devoted father to his 4-year-old son, Jonathan Jr., and a 'bright light' in their lives. The campaign aimed to assist with funeral expenses and received numerous condolences and support from friends and community members.
This tragic event marked the 21st homicide in St. Paul in 2023, a year that saw a significant number of such incidents. The case underscores the dangers associated with improper firearm handling and the profound impact of gun violence on families and communities.
