Sentencing topping 27 years for man who fatally shot woman in vehicle in Minneapolis

Marquis Deonte Gardner has been sentenced to a term exceeding 27 years for the shooting death of Alexis Rae Rodriguez in Minneapolis. The crime, which occurred on February 21, 2023, involved Gardner firing multiple shots into a vehicle occupied by Rodriguez and a man in the driver’s seat. After pleading guilty to second-degree intentional murder and attempted second-degree intentional murder, Gardner will serve just over 17 years in prison, followed by supervised release. Surveillance footage captured the moment Gardner, driving an SUV, approached the victims' vehicle and opened fire before fleeing the scene. His accomplice, Anthony Leandre Winston, was sentenced to 10 years after admitting to aiding Gardner post-crime.

Gardner claimed that the man in the vehicle with Rodriguez had robbed him, raising questions about motives often seen in violent crimes. This case underscores the urgent need for addressing gun violence and its repercussions on community safety. The sentences reflect the judicial system's stance on serious violent offenses and the importance of accountability.