Sentencing Day For Rochester Teen Involved in Drive-By Shooting

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester teenager is being given a chance to avoid prison for his role in a drive-by shooting last summer.

18-year-old Lebron Benson Giwa was sentenced today for his conviction on a second-degree assault charge. He was originally charged with aiding and abetting drive-by shooting toward a person, but Olmsted County prosecutors agreed to substitute the felony assault count as part of a plea agreement reached in December.

According to the criminal complaint, Giwa was accused of driving one of two vehicles that were identified as the sources of gunfire that was directed at a group of people outside a residence in the 2800 block of Northern Valley Drive Northeast on the night of August 23. The court document says the shooting followed a fistfight that occurred in the parking lot of nearby Bowlocity Entertainment Center

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Rochester Police reports on the incident indicate up to 30 shots were fired. Bullets struck a nearby apartment building and two vehicles, but no injuries were reported.

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The criminal complaint alleges Giwa held the gun that was used by a juvenile passenger to fire shots from his vehicle. Giwa was given a stayed three-year prison sentence and has been placed on probation for 5 years. He was also ordered to spend 30 days in jail this year and another 30 days in jail next year with work release privileges.

Two juveniles were also arrested as suspects in the case along with 18-year-old Paul Rios of Chester. He entered a guilty plea to a second-degree assault charge last month and is scheduled to be sentenced in April.

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