On a summer afternoon in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the life of 26-year-old Robert Molin Jr., a Black male, was tragically cut short. On August 16, 2018, what began as a confrontation at a liquor store escalated into a fatal drive-by shooting. Molin's brother had called him for help after being confronted by a group of individuals. Authorities later indicated that the two groups were on opposing sides of a recent homicide.
In an act of protection, Molin arrived at the scene and followed the
other group's vehicle. His brother drove his own car in between the two. As the vehicles moved through the city streets, a shot was fired from the other car, striking Robert Molin Jr. in the head. He died on the 1400 block of Maryland Avenue East.
The investigation into the shooting led authorities to 21-year-old Antoine J. Grasty. Through surveillance footage and witness accounts, investigators were able to piece together the events of that day. One of the passengers in the car with Grasty later came forward, identifying him as the person who fired the fatal shot. Grasty was subsequently arrested and charged with second-degree murder.
