Man sentenced to 30 years in prison for fatal shooting at Mall of America

MINNEAPOLIS — A 19-year-old Minneapolis man was sentenced to more than 30 years in prison for his role in a fatal shooting at the Mall of America in December 2022.

Taeshawn Adams-Wright pleaded guilty in March to second-degree murder in the shooting that killed Johntae Hudson, 19, inside the Nordstrom store.

A criminal complaint in that case alleged that Adams-Wright, then 18, was involved in an altercation between two groups of teenagers when shots were fired, killing Hudson and injuring a woman. Adams-Wright and two other youths then aged 17 were later arrested at a St. Louis Park apartment, while a third then aged 17 was arrested after fleeing to Georgia.

Adams-Wright read a statement of apology during Thursday's sentencing hearing.

“I want to apologize for causing pain and suffering to the victim’s family, as well as the lady who was shot,” Adams-Wright said. He cited influences from films, music and video games, but told the court he took responsibility for them. “I know and understand that what I did was wrong, I accept full responsibility for my actions…I cannot take back my actions, I sincerely apologize for my actions.”

In handing down the sentence, the judge reprimanded Adams-Wright for previous allegations of self-defense.

“You and several others decided to hunt down someone and execute him,” Judge Paul Scoggin said. “We have all seen that tape, and there can be no other definition of what happened that day. Your account of acts of self-defense that day? You were not .You participated with a group of people to kill someone and it’s that simple.”

Adams-Wright will receive credit for 524 days already served. He was also sentenced to six months in prison for second-degree assault, which will be served concurrently with the murder sentence.

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