In the early morning hours of June 17, 2017, a tragedy unfolded in a Minneapolis park that cut short the life of 18-year-old George Pineda. Pineda, a recent graduate of Roosevelt High School, was walking with a friend through Webber Park when they were confronted by a man with a gun. The armed man, later identified as 26-year-old Chance Adams of Hopkins, ordered Pineda and his 17-year-old friend to the ground.
After robbing the two teenagers of their personal belongings, Adams opened
fire on them as they lay on the ground. Pineda was struck multiple times and died at the scene before police could arrive. His friend was not physically harmed in the shooting. The incident occurred around 3:18 a.m. in the area of Lyndale Avenue N. and Webber Parkway.
Shortly after the shooting, a resident in the vicinity called the police to report a suspicious man attempting to break into cars. This led to the swift capture of Adams a short distance from the park. He was subsequently charged with second-degree murder, first-degree aggravated robbery, and illegal possession of a firearm.
In May 2018, a jury found Chance Adams guilty of first-degree murder and four other charges. He was later sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years. In addition to the life sentence, he received a consecutive sentence of 98 months for the aggravated robbery. The robbery that led to the senseless murder reportedly netted the assailant just $40 and a cell phone.
