By Associated Press - Tuesday, March 25, 2014

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A 19-year-old man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for the shooting death of a 13-year-old Minneapolis boy who was on a bicycle.

Donquarius Copeland was sentenced Tuesday in the death of Ray’Jon Gomez in August 2011.

Copeland pleaded guilty to second-degree intentional murder and attempted murder.



Gomez was riding on the back of a friend’s bike when he was hit. The 12-year-old boy steering the bike was also hit by gunfire, but survived.

Authorities say Kemen Taylor persuaded Copeland and Derrick Catchings to shoot at several boys riding bikes in a Minneapolis alley. Taylor was sentenced to life without parole earlier this month.

The judge commended Copeland for testifying against Taylor. The Star Tribune (https://strib.mn/1fZa1C1 ) reports Copeland said he’s ready to serve his time “like a man.”

___

Information from: Star Tribune, https://www.startribune.com

Advertisement
Advertisement

Copyright © 2026 The Washington Times, LLC.

Please read our comment policy before commenting.