Bemidji man pleads guilty in Minneapolis fatal shootings near homeless encampment

Joshua Anthony Jones, 37, faces a recommended 35-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to two counts of second-degree intentional murder for shooting two men in Minneapolis last September. The plea deal, announced on July 24, 2025, resulted in the dismissal of six other felony charges against him. The shootings unfolded over nearly 15 hours on September 18, 2024, claiming the lives of Roland Scott Little Owl, 20, and Robert Milton Brown, 39. Both victims were shot in separate locations, with Little Owl targeted near a homeless encampment. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty noted that Jones appeared to know the victims, who were not homeless, indicating a possible personal connection.

Surveillance footage captured Jones approaching Brown before the fatal shooting. This case underscores the pressing issue of gun violence and its repercussions in urban environments. Community leaders continue to advocate for measures to address safety and prevent similar incidents.