Oscar Lee Covington Death; – Authorities have identified the individual who succumbed nearly a month after being robbed and shot outside a bar in St. Paul as 42-year-old Oscar Lee Covington, a resident of Brooklyn Park.
Covington passed away on Tuesday at Regions Hospital, as reported by the St. Paul Police Department. His death represents the 30th homicide recorded in the city this year. Edward G. Robinson, aged 43, and Erica Ruth Hampton, aged 42, both from St. Paul, have been apprehended and charged in relation to the ongoing investigation.
According to the criminal charges, law enforcement believes that a group of individuals targeted and surveilled Covington within the bar on October 30. Hampton, who served as the bartender at the establishment, has denied any involvement in the incident, as stated in the charges.
Nevertheless, she reportedly contacted Robinson after Covington made a cash payment for his drinks, according to the charges. Shortly after this communication, Robinson and another alleged accomplice were seen “positioned on the sidewalk” outside the bar, as per the charges. Just minutes before the police were alerted to the shooting, a 44-year-old man sent Robinson a text message stating: “He acting like he scared to come out.”
The man was “evidently monitoring [the victim’s] location and movements,” as detailed in the criminal complaint. Covington was attacked, robbed, and shot shortly after exiting the bar, according to police reports. Robinson faces two counts of aggravated first-degree robbery in Ramsey County District Court.
On Tuesday, prosecutors modified a previously filed first-degree assault charge against Robinson to a charge of first-degree riot resulting in death. Hampton is charged with one count of aiding an offender. The Pioneer Press has reported that charges against two additional suspects remain sealed pending their arrests.
