A man and his sister have been charged this week in connection with the fatal shooting of a 49-year-old St. Paul man.

Derek Alonzo Mitchell, of Belton, Missouri, and Ryshaun Ca’Mia Rhodes, of Brooklyn Park, face charges of aiding and abetting second-degree unintentional murder in the shooting of Michael D. Tucker, according to court documents.

Officers responded to reports of shots fired in the 900 block of Edgerton Street in St. Paul’s Payne-Phalen neighborhood on December 4. Upon arrival, they found a man with an apparent gunshot wound to the upper torso. Despite receiving first aid on the scene and having medics called, Tucker was pronounced dead before reaching Regions Hospital.

Rhodes, 36, was charged on Wednesday, while Mitchell, 35, was charged on Thursday. Bail for both suspects was set at $1 million.

According to the complaint, investigators believe Tucker had agreed to buy $700 worth of cocaine from Rhodes. However, before completing the purchase, he wanted to try a sample. Tucker allegedly left to test the sample and then returned to complain about its quality.

During an argument in Rhodes’ vehicle, Tucker reportedly brandished a firearm and attempted to rob Rhodes of the cocaine. At this point, Rhodes allegedly drew her own black and purple Taurus handgun and fired.

An alternate version of events states that Mitchell asked Rhodes for her gun and fired once through the open passenger door. The complaint further quotes Mitchell as saying he did not even know he had shot Tucker.

Rhodes told police, “I didn’t have anything to do with that man being hurt, and that’s the God’s honest truth,” according to the complaint. Both Rhodes and Mitchell have denied that drugs were involved in the case.

Rhodes’ attorney could not be reached for comment Thursday afternoon. An attorney for Mitchell was not listed in the court file.

This homicide marks the 13th of the year in St. Paul.
https://www.twincities.com/2025/12/18/st-paul-siblings-charged-michael-tucker/