Football player caught in crossfire of shootout: Cops
Share this @internewscast.com

Left: Terrell Ranzy (Dakota County Jail). Right: Matthew Lee (GoFundMe).

A 20-year-old man is behind bars in the death of a Minnesota college football player who was killed in a shootout between men in a small bedroom.

Terrell Anthony Ranzy faces charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter, and illegal possession of a firearm in connection with the death of Matthew Robert Lee, a 20-year-old football player at St. Olaf College in Northfield, located about 40 miles south of Minneapolis. A criminal complaint reveals that police in South St. Paul were called to a residence around 3:42 a.m. Friday, where they discovered an unresponsive man.

Upon arrival, officers were directed to an upstairs bedroom but had trouble opening the door because Lee’s body was obstructing it. Inside, they found Lee with two gunshot wounds and 20-year-old Keith Woodson Cox also injured with gunshot wounds to his arms and torso. Lee was declared dead on the scene, while Cox was transported to the hospital by paramedics.

Officers interviewed multiple witnesses who were at the house during the incident. They reported that Cox, Ranzy, the victim, and three other individuals had been socializing that night and eventually arrived at the residence around 3 a.m. All six men congregated in a small bedroom, where Cox and Ranzy began comparing firearms, according to the complaint.

Cox suggested to Ranzy that he should “keep one up top,” or ensure a bullet was in the chamber. Witnesses recounted that Cox, Lee, and another man then went into the nearby bathroom. In the bathroom, Cox, who hasn’t been charged, allegedly expressed a desire to rob Ranzy of his gun. Lee and the other man attempted to dissuade him. Nonetheless, Cox exited the bathroom, pointed a gun at Ranzy, and demanded his possessions, as stated in the affidavit.

Ranzy fell back onto the bed, shooting once into the ceiling before firing additional shots at Cox from a crouched stance, hitting both Lee and Cox, police say. Cox fired back but seemingly missed everyone.

“Two people in the room jumped out the window to avoid the gunfire,” cops wrote. “Witness described the victim as an innocent bystander.”

The investigation uncovered 14 bullet casings from two distinct firearms, the affidavit noted. Ranzy, who had been previously convicted for making violent threats and was banned from owning a gun, fled the scene but was later apprehended.

Now Lee’s teammates are continuing their season without the third-year linebacker.

“Matthew was just a great kid. A tragic loss because of the future that he had in front of him and the opportunities that were going to be presented to him,” St. Olaf coach James Killian told local ABC affiliate KSTP.

Killian also said Lee had a “great, caring personality.”

“Connected well and obviously that’s one of the big reasons why his loss has been felt so deeply,” Killian said.

Ranzy is at the Dakota County Jail on a $750,000 bond. He is next slated to appear in court on Sept. 25.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Tragic Consequences: Drunk Driver Sentenced in Heartbreaking Young Woman’s Death Case

A driver under the influence will spend a minimum of seven years…

Tragic Teen Stabbing at Party: 17-Year-Old Charged in Fatal Incident

Share A tragic incident at a New York house party has led…

Eviction Sparks Tragic Incident in Florida: A Closer Look

A Florida couple has been taken into custody following a failed murder-suicide…

Terrifying Threat: Man Arrested After Disturbing Encounter with Mother and Son

Inset: Jorge Felix Larrea Diaz (Miami Dade Corrections & Rehabilitation Center). Background:…

Reagan-Era Judge Resigns to Break Silence on Trump

Left: Donald Trump speaks at the annual Road to Majority conference in…

Gorsuch and Thomas Criticize Supreme Court Colleagues for Declining High-Profile Case: A Deep Dive into Judicial Disagreement

Left: Associate Justice Clarence Thomas sits during a group photo of the…

Authorities Seek Additional Victims as 45-Year-Old Man Faces Rape and Assault Charges

Authorities are urging anyone who may have fallen victim to a man…

Daughter of Murder Victim Commended for Compassion as Sentencing of Convicted Killer Approaches

Amidst the unimaginable sorrow of losing her mother, a murdered grandmother, a…

High-Speed Minivan Pursuit Ends in Arrest: Dramatic Melbourne Chase Captivates City

A man is under police guard in hospital after a minivan chase…

Seeking Justice: Family’s Heartfelt Appeal for Answers in Tragic NSW Stabbing

The family of a young man, along with the police, are urgently…

Tragic Incident: Children Killed and Mobile Home Set on Fire, Police Report

Inset: John Henry Walston Jr. (Escambia County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The mobile…

Suspect Allegedly Used Oven Cleaner on Skin Following Murder, Police Report

Inset: Clay Fosse (New Mexico Department of Corrections). Background: The apartment complex…