In the early hours of September 7, 2019, a dispute that began on social media culminated in the death of 22-year-old Kacey Feiner, a Black/African American male from Saint Paul, Minnesota. The confrontation unfolded on Glenridge Avenue in the Battle Creek neighborhood, where Feiner, an aspiring musician, was shot multiple times. Responding to reports of a shooting at approximately 1:15 a.m., police arrived to find evidence of the violence but no victim.
Feiner had already been taken to Regions Hospital in a private vehicle, where he was pronounced dead from his wounds.
The investigation into Feiner's death quickly pointed to a feud between rival street gangs. Authorities identified Feiner as a member of the Ham Crazy gang and the suspected shooter as Michael Cordell Garland, a 19-year-old member of the rival EBK gang. Investigators discovered text messages exchanged between Feiner and Garland in the hours leading up to the shooting, which indicated an escalating conflict over a firearm. The messages showed the two had arranged to meet to settle their dispute, with texts suggesting a "shoot it out, fight."
Witnesses described a heated argument between the two men. According to reports, Feiner attempted to walk away, stating he "didn't have time for this," before Garland allegedly pushed him to the ground. While Feiner was on his back, Garland reportedly stood over him and fired multiple shots at close range. An autopsy later determined that Feiner had been shot between seven and eleven times. Following the shooting, Garland fled the scene. He later allegedly confessed to a fellow gang member, stating, "Bro, I did some stupid s--t," and was reportedly seen crying while listening to Feiner's music on his phone.
Michael Cordell Garland, also known on the street as "DoDo man," was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection with Kacey Feiner's death. A judge set his bail at $1 million. The criminal complaint detailed the social media feud and text message exchange that led to the fatal confrontation. Garland pleaded not guilty to the charges. The killing was one of a number of homicides in Saint Paul that year, contributing to a significant increase in the city's homicide rate.
