Robinson extradited from Chicago, faces murder and riot charges

Just extradited back from Chicago on a murder charge, prosecutors charged Zachary Robinson and another man with first-degree riot in a North Minneapolis melee where 100 shots were fired, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced Monday.

Robinson, 27, of St. Paul and Desean Solomon, 30, of Richfield, were both charged with riot, during which one man was shot in the head and died later at the hospital. Robinson was extradited back to face several charges including second-degree murder in the death of his girlfriend, 27-year-old Leneesha Columbus in early July. She was pregnant with his child, which doctors were able to save, although the baby is in critical condition.

According to the criminal complaint, on June 14, a man named Ike was robbed inside the Broadway Pub, 200 Broadway Avenue Northeast, by a Bloods gang member known as “Skits.” Video shows Ike going into the bathroom at the pub and a short time later, it shows Ike being thrown out of the bathroom. Ike’s shirt is torn and he left the pub.

Not long after Ike leaves the bar, Solomon, Robinson and an unidentified third man exit the bathroom, the complaint states. Sometime after that, a running gun battle begins with the majority of the shots being fired outside the 4th Street Saloon, two blocks west of the pub. Surveillance footage from the area where the shooting occurred shows Solomon on 2nd Street North, near Broadway, firing a handgun to the south. Video also shows Robinson in possession of a handgun at the time of the shooting.

A crowd of approximately 100 people gathered in the middle of the street in front of 4th Street Saloon and a few actively prevented police from administering aid to two victims in a black Honda, the complaint states. One male victim who had been transported to Hennepin Healthcare prior to police arrival, died after he got to the hospital due to a fatal gunshot wound to the head.

Investigation revealed that there were at least 100 discharged cartridge casings recovered at the scene, most of them near the 4th Street Saloon and 12 different guns were used.

View the criminal complaint against Robinson (PDF).