In the winter of 2018, a 15-year-old Hispanic male named Angel Gabriel Reyes Hernandez was trying to build a better future for himself in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He had moved in with the family of his best friend and was focused on improving his grades and steering clear of negative influences. For Christmas, he had simply asked for some silly socks.
He was a beloved brother, grandson, and nephew who was making an effort to turn his life around.
On December 23, 2018, Angel's aspirations were tragically cut short. He was found with multiple gunshot wounds in the parking lot of Arlington Arkwright Park. The initial report to the police was made by a 16-year-old acquaintance, Oscar Cervantes, who claimed that he and Angel had been robbed by a group of men. Cervantes alleged that these men had shot Angel during the encounter. Angel ultimately died in his friend's arms.
As the investigation progressed, Cervantes' account of the events began to unravel. A Snapchat video surfaced showing Cervantes pointing a gun at Angel. Witnesses came forward stating that the shooting had not been a random act of violence in a park but had occurred earlier inside a local apartment during an argument between the two teenagers, reportedly over a gun. According to witness statements, after the shooting, Cervantes enlisted their help to move Angel's body, and they complied out of fear. Cervantes was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. The Ramsey County Attorney's Office subsequently filed a motion to have him tried as an adult.
