Samantha Burnette, a 16-year-old student from Minnetonka High School, was tragically shot and killed in an alleyway on the 700 block of Sims Avenue in St. Paul, Minnesota, on September 25, 2016. The incident occurred early on a Sunday morning, and her 20-year-old sister, Brittany Rock, was also injured in the attack, suffering a head wound from being pistol-whipped.
Samantha was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
The investigation led to the arrest of four individuals in connection with the shooting. Vincent Harris, 29, from St. Paul, was charged with two counts of second-degree murder and one count of first-degree aggravated robbery. Davonte Bobo, Christopher Calloway, and Kalisa Smith were also charged. According to the charges, Kalisa Smith was in the car with Samantha Burnette, Brittany Rock, and another woman when she claimed she needed to meet someone and directed them to the alley where the shooting occurred.
Smith exited the car, leaving it running, and shortly after, two men approached. One man, identified as Christopher Calloway, jumped into the front seat, brandishing a handgun and demanding everything from the occupants. The second man, Davonte Bobo, appeared at the passenger side window with another handgun. During the commotion, Brittany Rock managed to escape the car but was injured. Samantha Burnette, who had been asleep, woke up and was subsequently shot.
In police interviews, Kalisa Smith admitted to knowing about the planned robbery orchestrated by Calloway. She revealed that Calloway had asked her if the women in the car had money, and she had confirmed they did. Despite her initial reluctance, Smith acknowledged that she knew the robbery was going to happen. Bobo also confessed to his involvement, stating that he and Calloway were armed and that Calloway had fired the shots that killed Samantha. Harris, who was also implicated, made his first court appearance shortly after the arrests.
This tragic event marked the 14th homicide in St. Paul in 2016, highlighting the ongoing issue of violent crime in the area. Samantha Burnette's death left a profound impact on her community, particularly at Minnetonka High School, where she was remembered as a bright and ambitious student with dreams of becoming an attorney.
