15 years for fatal bar shooting

A Minneapolis man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for fatally shooting a man in a bar last August.

Ron Powell pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Hennepin County court Tuesday ahead of a trial that was to begin Monday. In a deal with prosecutors, two other charges, second-degree assault and felon in possession of a firearm, were dropped.

The 43-year-old Powell admitted shooting at a man who had punched him in Champions Bar in Minneapolis Aug. 8. His assailant was struck and injured. But, another bullet hit a man standing at the bar, 51-year-old Mark Stephenson, and killed him.

Powell will get credit for 285 days already served in jail.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.