Man, 26, charged with killing teen responding to Craigslist ad

Police charged a man today with the shooting death of a teenager who was responding to a Craigslist ad for a cell phone.

The criminal complaint alleges Steven Emmanuel Lewis, 26, of Maplewood shot Hamline student Aung Thu Bo while trying to rob him. Bo died at St. Paul's Regions Hospital on Sunday.

Ramsey County Attorney John Choi said police are still investigating whether anyone else was involved in the killing.

"This is just an incredibly sad case, where you've got a 19-year old who has a bright future in front of him," Choi said. "Unfortunately the defendant through his actions took his life, so our hearts and prayers go out to the victim's family and all those that loved him."

Lewis made his first appearance in Ramsey County court Monday.

The case is a sad reminder for the public to exercise caution when using online services, Choi said.

"When you're dealing with people you don't know, you have to take precautions; one of which would be to conduct the transaction and insist that the transaction occurs in a public place and to take other safeguards for yourself," Choi said.