On a Sunday morning in Minneapolis, on September 9, 2018, a violent encounter at the Emerson Food Market resulted in the death of 18-year-old Jamarius Marquis Shief, a Black male. The incident, which unfolded around 9:30 a.m., was part of a deadly shootout that left another man dead and rattled the community. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner later confirmed that Shief died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds, ruling his death a homicide.
The fatal altercation began when Shief
and an associate, 19-year-old Demerio D. Davis, entered the market on Emerson Avenue North and got into a discussion with two other men, 23-year-old Samuel T. Abron-Yeager and Kevin Martinez. After briefly leaving, Shief and Davis returned. Upon their return, Shief began to physically assault Martinez, while Davis stood by the door and opened fire on Abron-Yeager.
In a chaotic exchange of gunfire, Abron-Yeager, though wounded, drew his own weapon and pursued Davis out of the store, firing several shots. It is believed that during this exchange, Abron-Yeager fired the shots that fatally wounded Jamarius Shief. Abron-Yeager collapsed from his injuries shortly after and later died at a local hospital.
In the aftermath, law enforcement quickly identified the individuals involved. Demerio D. Davis was arrested just a few blocks from the scene and was subsequently charged with the murder of Abron-Yeager and being a felon in possession of a firearm. In February 2019, Davis pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to over 16 years in prison. The other man present with Abron-Yeager, Kevin Martinez, faced charges for his involvement. He later pleaded guilty to aiding an offender after the fact, for taking the gun from the gravely wounded Abron-Yeager and fleeing the scene. While authorities believe Abron-Yeager was responsible for Shief's death, Abron-Yeager also died as a result of the shootout.
