As a fight broke out on a Green Line light-rail platform in St. Paul earlier this week, a teenager pulled out a gun and started firing shots, authorities say.
Isaiah Charles Bracy, 18, of St. Paul was charged Friday with two counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon for the conduct, according to the criminal complaint filed against him in Ramsey County District Court.
The incident took place after a “loud” group of males entered the train at the downtown Central Station about 4:30 p.m. Monday and started talking about “pills and getting high,” the complaint said.
The train operator later described to police observing the group looking out the window at another group of males standing near a restaurant at the corner of Dale Street and University Avenue. The second group appeared to be flashing gang signs, according to the complaint.
Shortly after, the train came to its scheduled stop at the Dale Street platform and the operator heard yelling and gunshots, the complaint said.
A 39-year-old man was struck in the back by one of the bullets, the complaint said. He had reportedly just left a friend’s house on Dale Street and was about to board a westbound train when he was hit.
He told police that “nobody would have any reason to harm him,” the complaint said.
Video footage captured on the platform’s surveillance system shows a fight underway on the platform as Bracy starts shooting in the direction of two men, the complaint said.
One of the men eventually turned around and started firing back, the complaint said.
Police suspect it was the gunfire from the second shooter that struck the 39-year-old.
Surveillance footage then shows Bracy fleeing the area.
Two 9-mm shells and multiple .40-caliber shell casings were reportedly recovered at the scene.
Police familiar with Bracy identified him in the footage, the complaint said.
The 18-year-old was arrested Wednesday when he arrived for a meeting with his probation officer in St. Paul. He declined an interview with police, the complaint said.
Bracy was convicted in January of possessing a pistol without a permit.
The Monday afternoon shooting was one of two in the Summit-University neighborhood. A 25-year-old man was fatally shot at St. Albans Street and Fuller Avenue at about 2:30 p.m. That case remains under investigation.