Man charged in fatal Coon Rapids shooting

Authorities have charged a 19-year-old in connection to a fatal shooting that happened in a Cub Foods parking lot in Coon Rapids.

A criminal complaint states Vaughn Coklas has been charged with one count of second-degree murder in connection to the death of 19-year-old Staveonte El Brown.

According to the complaint, officers were called Monday afternoon on the report of a shooting in the Cub Foods parking lot.

When officers arrived, they found Brown lying in the parking lot with a gunshot wound to his chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Victim, suspect in fatal Coon Rapids shooting identified

The complaint says witnesses directed officers to Coklas, who was fleeing the scene. Officers were able to take Coklas into custody.

Witnesses told police that Coklas and Brown had gotten into a fight in the parking lot. The complaint said a witness told investigators that as Brown was picking up money, Coklas produced a handgun and then shot Brown.

According to the Anoka County Attorney’s Office, bail for Coklas was set at $1 million with conditions.