Man Killed Teen During Marijuana Sale In South St. Paul: Police

SOUTH ST. PAUL, MN — An 18-year-old has been charged with three counts of second-degree murder in the fatal South St. Paul shooting of Anthony John Skelley, 17.

Casimir Anthony Semlak, of St. Paul, was certified for adult court prosecution in connection with the May 8 shooting.

On May 8 at about 10:40 p.m., South St. Paul police officers were dispatched to a residential area on a report of gunshots.

At the scene, officers found Skelley unresponsive in the street. He had gunshot wounds to his head, torso, and shoulder was not breathing, and had no pulse, investigators said.

Skelley had a BB gun in his hand, according to police. Near his body in the street were shell casings from a 9mm firearm, a cell phone, and a small bag of marijuana, investigators said.

Officers attempted CPR, but responding medics pronounced Skelley dead at the scene.

Neighbors reported gunshots and seeing a small four-door vehicle with a damaged right taillight leaving the area at a high rate of speed, according to police.

Ring videos also captured portions of the incident, investigators said.

A male who was inside Skelley's residence during the shooting told officers that he heard Skelley on the phone say something to the effect of "ok, I’m coming out," according to police.

Skelley walked outside, which is when the shots were heard, investigators said.

The last number called on Skelley's cell phone was linked to Semlak, according to police. Officers also discovered a text thread between Skelley and Semlak over the sale of marijuana, investigators said.

Police located and arrested Semlak. At the time of his arrest, Semlak had a Springfield 9mm Hellcat handgun with an inserted magazine containing several bullets, police said.

The bullets in the magazine were the same brand as the shell casing found at the scene of the shooting, according to investigators. Police said they also found Semlak's cell phone.