Brooklyn Park man charged in St. Paul’s 13th homicide; drug robbery alleged
St. Paul police say 49-year-old Michael Tucker was fatally shot Dec. 4 on the 900 block of Edgerton Street in the Payne‑Phalen neighborhood, the city’s 13th homicide of 2025. Authorities charged Ryshaun Ca'mia Rhodes of Brooklyn Park with second‑degree murder, alleging the shooting stemmed from an attempted drug robbery after an SUV delivered a package believed to contain drugs; investigators say witnesses, license‑plate reader data, phone/social‑media and cell‑site records tied Rhodes to the scene, a 9mm casing was recovered, and he was arrested Dec. 16 following a Brooklyn Park search warrant.
📌 Key Facts
- On Dec. 4, officers responded just before 9:15 p.m. to the 900 block of Edgerton Street in St. Paul’s Payne‑Phalen neighborhood after a shooting.
- The victim was identified as 49-year-old Michael Tucker; he suffered a gunshot wound to the upper torso, was taken to Regions Hospital and pronounced dead shortly after arrival, and the Ramsey County Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy to confirm identity and cause of death.
- The killing is St. Paul’s 13th homicide of 2025.
- Prosecutors have charged two siblings in connection with the Payne‑Phalen shooting; one defendant, Ryshaun Ca'mia Rhodes of Brooklyn Park, was charged with second‑degree murder.
- Authorities say the shooting stemmed from an attempted robbery over drugs after an SUV arrived and a package believed to contain drugs changed hands.
- Investigators recovered a 9mm casing next to the victim and processed the scene for evidence; witnesses reported a newer SUV and license‑plate‑reader data traced that vehicle to Rhodes.
- Phone records, social‑media contacts and cell‑site data linked Rhodes with the victim shortly before the shooting and placed him near the scene.
- Rhodes was arrested Dec. 16 after police executed a search warrant in Brooklyn Park; investigators say circumstances remain under investigation.
📊 Relevant Data
In Payne-Phalen neighborhood of St. Paul, the racial composition based on 2016-2020 data is 28% White, 19.9% Black, 20.8% Asian, 17.4% Hispanic, and 14% other races.
Payne-Phalen Neighborhood, population data — stpaul.legistar.com
In Minnesota, the unemployment rate for Black workers was 5.0% in October 2022, compared to 2.1% for White workers.
Black Minnesotans: An analysis of employment, educational and other economic trends — mn.gov/deed
In Minnesota in 2024, there were 170 murders, down from 181 in 2023, with firearms involved in 74.7% of incidents.
BCA releases 2024 Uniform Crime Report — dps.mn.gov
In St. Paul, there were 32 homicide victims in 2024, down from 33 in 2023 and 40 in 2022.
St. Paul homicides 2024: Victims, suspects, where they happened — twincities.com
In Minnesota, the poverty rate for Black residents is 24.5%, compared to 6.7% for White residents based on recent data.
Poverty Rates in Minnesota — mn.gov/deed
📰 Source Timeline (5)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Ryshaun Ca'mia Rhodes, of Brooklyn Park, charged with second-degree murder in the Dec. 4 Edgerton St. killing.
- Probable motive detailed: attempted robbery tied to drugs after an SUV arrived and a package believed to contain drugs changed hands.
- Investigative trail: witnesses saw a newer SUV; license plate reader data traced the vehicle to Rhodes.
- Phone records and social media linked the victim and Rhodes shortly before the shooting; cell-site data placed Rhodes near the scene.
- A 9mm casing was recovered next to the victim; Rhodes was arrested Dec. 16 after a Brooklyn Park search warrant.
- Prosecutors have charged two siblings in connection with the Payne‑Phalen shooting death.
- The case has moved from identification of the victim to filed criminal charges against identified suspects.
- Article indicates the relationship between the suspects (siblings) tied to the homicide.
- Victim identified as 49-year-old Michael Tucker.
- Identification pertains to the fatal shooting on the 900 block of Edgerton Street in St. Paul’s Payne‑Phalen neighborhood.
- Officers responded just before 9:15 p.m. to the 900 block of Edgerton Street.
- Victim had a gunshot wound to the upper torso, was taken to Regions Hospital, and pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
- Ramsey County Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy and confirm identity and cause of death.
- Police processed the scene for evidence; circumstances remain under investigation.
- This is St. Paul’s 13th homicide of 2025.