Rochester Teen Admits Shooting Father During Argument Over Rent

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Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) - A Rochester teenager has pleaded guilty to shooting his father during an argument over rent money.

The shooting took place in March in a parking lot at Essex Apartments.

The father of 19-year-old Colby Cleveland told police he got into a heated argument with his son about not helping pay rent for their apartment. He said the argument became physical and then his son walked out of the apartment.

The victim told police he followed Cleveland outside “to figure out what was going on” and then saw a gun in his son’s hand. He told police Cleveland began yelling “I’m going to kill you” several times and then he fired twice. One bullet struck his father in the left leg and the other struck a car.

Cleveland drove off but turned himself in a few days later.

He was charged with 2nd degree attempted murder and 2nd-degree felony assault and was scheduled to stand trial next month. He pleaded guilty Wednesday to the assault charge and is scheduled to be sentenced in January. He remains in jail.