On December 25, 2018, Jeryel Octavius McBeth, aged 34, was fatally shot in Hibbing, Minnesota. The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. in the 2400 Block of Third Avenue East. When officers arrived at the scene, they found McBeth and another individual, 25-year-old Jamien Stukey, suffering from gunshot wounds. McBeth was transported to Fairview Range Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead. Stukey was treated and released from the same medical center.
The suspect in the shooting was identified as Jerome Diante Spann, who was 29 years old at the time of the incident. Spann was considered armed and dangerous and fled the scene in a vehicle with an unknown male passenger. Authorities believed he might have traveled to the St. Paul area. Spann remained at large for a few days before being arrested in St. Paul.
In September 2021, Jerome Dionte Spann, then 32 years old, was found guilty of first-degree premeditated murder, second-degree murder, and second-degree assault in the death of Jeryel Octavius McBeth. Spann had waived his right to a jury trial, and the verdict was delivered by Judge Rachel Sullivan. The sentencing date had not been set at the time, but a first-degree murder conviction carries a mandatory life sentence under state law.
