Man pleads guilty to murder in Brooklyn Center drug deal robbery

A Minneapolis man has pleaded guilty to murder in the fatal shooting of a person during a drug deal robbery in Brooklyn Center last year.

The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office said 24-year-old Giovanni Williams entered the plea to one count of intentional second-degree murder in the death of 45-year-old Dattreas Stewart.

According to a criminal complaint, police were called to the Pump n’ Munch gas station on 69th Avenue in Brooklyn Center at around 9:15 p.m. on Dec. 11, 2019. There, officers found Stewart in the front passenger seat of a 2002 Chevrolet Blazer with his girlfriend, who was screaming and holding clothing against Stewart’s head wound. First aid was provided but Stewart died at the scene.

Man arrested, charged with murder in Brooklyn Center drug deal robbery

Stewart’s girlfriend told police that a man known as "Giovanni" shot Stewart. She also admitted to arranging with another person to sell an ounce of marijuana earlier in the day, the complaint states. That person put her in contact with Williams and they agreed to meet at the gas station.

Shortly after arriving there, woman told police that a Chrysler 200 pulled into a parking spot next to their Blazer, Williams got out of the Chrysler and climbed into the back seat of the Blazer and began talking about the marijuana.

The complaint states that Williams asked to smell it but then said he was robbing the victim and fired one shot into Stewart’s head, the complaint states.

In court, Williams said he went to the gas station intending to rob Stewart but, when he pulled out his gun, Stewart pulled out a gun and scared him so he shot Stewart before Stewart could use his gun.

As part of a plea agreement, Williams will be sentenced to 20 years in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 19.