ST PAUL, Minn. — St. Paul police are looking for a man now charged with two counts of second-degree murder after allegedly shooting his ex-wife and her unborn child. 

A criminal complaint filed against 37-year-old Mychal Allan Stowers details the two murder counts as well as carjacking and assault charges associated with his getaway. 

St. Paul squads were dispatched to 139 Sycamore St. E. just after 9 p.m. Oct. 19 on reports of shots fired. Arriving officers were met by residents who told them they heard gunshots in apartment 3. Police entered the apartment and found a woman laying on the floor surrounded by spent 9mm shell casings. Paramedics responded and declared the victim dead just before 9:30 pm. 

Police later identified the victim as 35-year-old Damara Alexis Stowers.

Investigators on the scene found a loaded handgun on a bed in a different bedroom, along with photos from an ultrasound. In the apartment mailbox were two letters, one addressed to the victim and the other to a Mychal Stowers. While officers were in the apartment a cellphone rang, and the contact name that showed was “My$hon Stowers.” 

Neighbors described seeing a heavyset man in his late 30s or 40s running from the scene. One told officers he heard four or five shots from the apartment, walked outside, and soon heard two more from a few blocks away. 

The owner of the building told police the victim was in the process of being evicted, and that her ex-boyfriend had been living in the apartment with her, which was against the lease. 

Additional officers were dispatched to 99 Acker Street, a few blocks from the apartment shooting scene, at around 9:15 p.m. on reports of a carjacking. They found a man who had been shot in the leg, breaking his femur. The victim’s friend said they were standing outside a running vehicle when a heavyset Black male ran up, said something they did not understand and then shot the victim. The assailant then stole the running gray Audi. 

The complaint states that on the same day an employee of the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office reported that Mychal Stowers called, said he had shot someone and wanted to turn himself in. Despite the call, Stowers did not turn himself in. 

Records from the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) show Stowers was released from prison in March after serving time for another murder, was on work release and supposed to be living at a halfway house. He had had been granted a pass to visit his “ex-wife” at 139 Sycamore. 

Preliminary tests show the same gun fired spent shells recovered at both the murder and carjacking scenes, and the defendant matches descriptions of the shooter from witnesses at both scenes.

At this time Michael Stowers is not in custody.  

MINNEAPOLIS — A Minneapolis man who pleaded guilty to entering another man’s apartment and shooting him to death last year was sentenced to 20 years in prison Friday.

The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office released a statement saying 59-year-old Walter Hill was sentenced on second-degree intentional murder charges in 60-year-old Donald Edmondson’s November 2023 killing.

Prosecutors said Hill was given 337 days of credit for time already served.

“Mr. Edmondson should still be alive,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said in a statement. “A violent act committed with such disregard by Mr. Hill has taken him from his family. This sentence delivers accountability and protects our community, and I hope it brings some measure of peace to Mr. Edmondson’s loved ones as they attempt to move forward with their lives.” 

According to police, Edmondson suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the chest at his north-side apartment building on Nov. 24, 2023. 

The attorney’s office said Hill entered his guilty plea Monday.

MINNEAPOLIS — In the busy intersections of life, some moments are often overlooked, while others are ignored. 

Reverend Shawn Morrison, founder and executive director of Good in the ‘Hood, sees these intersections as opportunities for connecting and understanding.

“Three years ago, I just got a heart for this,” Morrison said, explaining that overlooking these moments was never an option. “Some might say it’s a calling that I was just compelled,” he shared, describing his deep motivation.

This project, “Will You See Me?” shares stories of people who are often unseen, aiming to create connections and build empathy. With each story, photograph and encounter, the team hopes to bring dignity and significance to every life they touch. 

Ultimately, they plan to compile these stories and images into a book to serve as a powerful testament to the human experience.

“How can we not make it just an excursion but an encounter? How can we give dignity and significance a listening ear of understanding?” Morrison asked, hoping the project fosters empathy through shared narratives.

One participant, Wade Smith, reflected on the range of life experiences among the project’s subjects. 

“I went to radio and television broadcasting school, yeah, and then I went to the service,” Smith shared. 

Morrison’s approach includes photographing and recording participants’ words, preserving their voices authentically.

After initial challenges finding collaborators, Shawn Nielsen, owner of Nielsen Studios, and Elizabeth Korth, owner of Narrative Nuance, joined Morrison in his mission. Together, they approach individuals directly, offering respect, gift cards and a chance to be truly seen. 

“People don’t even look at me,” Smith said. “It’s a problem for all Americans.”

Through each encounter, Morrison hopes to leave lasting impressions. 

“I’m hoping that the people of our community start to see things differently, and they might ask this question, ‘What can I do?’” Morrison said.

Dre Woods, another participant, spoke about his family and dreams. Woods asked for help to take care of his four-legged companion, Oreo. 

“I’m trying to feed her, right? That’s my baby,” Woods shared, revealing the motivations that guide him.

Dozens of stories and plenty of surprises, all things that give an often unshared perspective.

“I be asking God what it is why I’m still here. A lot of my friends not hear no more and I think about that,” Woods said. 

Each interaction serves as a reminder of humanity’s shared connections. 

“I think that it would encourage someone to do just something once. Each person could do something one day at a time, to be profound,” Nielsen said.

For Morrison, these stories are part of a larger mission. 

“Boy, has there been a rest of the story for some of these beautiful people,” he said, hoping to inspire others to view their communities with fresh eyes.

Each moment and interaction serves as a call to action: look closer; adjust the community’s vision; and see the intersection they pass by more clearly — as part of their own destination.