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Man sentenced to 10 years for St. Paul rec center shooting
Exavir Binford appeared by Zoom from prison in St. Cloud, where he will serve his sentence of 125 months with credit for 388 days already served.
ST PAUL, Minn. — Editor’s note: The video above first aired on KARE 11 in January 2023.
The former St. Paul recreation center employee accused of shooting a teen in the head last year was sentenced to just over 10 years in prison Friday.
Ramsey County court documents show Exavir Binford, 27, pleaded guilty to first-degree assault in a deal with prosecutors, who dropped a second-degree attempted murder charge as part of the deal. Binford appeared by Zoom from the state’s St. Cloud corrections facility, where he will carry out his sentence of 125 months with credit for 388 days already served.
The shooting happened on Jan. 18, 2023, outside the Jimmy Lee Recreation Center in the city’s historic Rondo neighborhood. According to the criminal complaint, Binford was working when two teens allegedly fought with him about entering the building, leading to a physical altercation in the rec center parking lot.
Witnesses told investigators that Binford flashed a gun at the teens before they followed him into the parking lot and attacked him. Prosecutors say Binford then pulled his gun out and shot one of them in the head. The victim, who was 16 at the time, was subsequently rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
After Binford was taken into custody, authorities say he told them he “tried walking away” but the teens were talking like “gun toters” so he got defensive. He added that he’d been having trouble with the individual for months before the shooting.
Binford reportedly told investigators the shooting happened “in the moment” and that he was sorry. His lawyer argued that Binford “acted in self-defense.”
At Friday’s sentencing hearing Binford was also ordered to pay restitution of $35,000.
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The road conditions were snowy and icy when the crash occurred.
INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, Minn. — One man was killed after his truck collided with another vehicle in Inver Grove Heights on Saturday afternoon, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
The man was driving up the entrance ramp from Concord Boulevard to northbound Highway 52 when his truck lost control, said the state patrol.
His truck crossed over the northbound lanes of Highway 52 before colliding with another vehicle, said the state patrol.
The road conditions were snowy and icy when the crash occurred.
The state patrol identified the man who died as 74-year-old Willard Pohl of Inver Grove Heights.
The driver of the other vehicle and his five passengers, which included four children, were not injured in the crash.
The Red Bulls were deployed in support of Operation Spartan Shield, where they played a role in strengthening defense relationships with partner nations.
ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — The Minnesota National Guard’s 34th Infantry Division, known as the “Red Bulls,” has returned home after a 10-month deployment to the Middle East.
On Saturday, the second wave of over 550 Citizen-Soldiers reunited with their families at the division’s headquarters in Arden Hills.
This homecoming follows the first wave of soldiers who returned earlier this week, marking the end of a successful mission that began in February 2024.
The Red Bulls were deployed in support of Operation Spartan Shield, where they played a role in strengthening defense relationships with partner nations.
During their deployment, the Red Bulls conducted numerous military-to-military exercises with partner nation forces in the region. They also modernized the division headquarters with top of the line communications equipment. Lieutenant Colonel Jay Hackett, the Infantry Battalion Commander, expressed pride in the unit’s focus and dedication throughout the mission.
“They really took care of the mission, and more importantly, they took care of each other,” Hackett said.
The scene at the Arden Hills headquarters was filled with emotion as families eagerly awaited their loved ones’ return. One soldier, medic Kacie Lou, was greeted with warm embraces from her parents and grandparents. When asked about her first desire upon returning home, she humorously replied, “I want to go eat some tacos.”
Another returning soldier described the surreal feeling of being back, stating, “It’s unexplainable. I feel like I’m in a dream, and I don’t think it’ll really set in until tomorrow morning when I wake up in my own bed.”
The Red Bulls’ return marks another chapter in the division’s rich history of service. With roots dating back to 1856, the Minnesota National Guard has consistently answered the nation’s call, with more than 13,000 Soldiers and Airmen serving across 58 communities in the state.
A KARE 11 Weather Impact Alert is in effect for Saturday with the expectation of slick roads and slippery conditions around the region.
MINNESOTA, USA — The Minnesota State Patrol has reported more than 100 crashes, spinouts and jackknifed semis statewide as a wintry mix makes its way through the state.
According to the state patrol, there have been 109 property damage crashes, seven injury crashes, 23 reports of vehicle going off the road, two spin outs and one jackknifed semi as of 1:30 p.m.
The hazardous weather conditions are expected to continue on and off throughout the day as the system drfits to the east, according to KARE 11 Meteorologist Jamie Kagol.
A KARE 11 Weather Impact Alert is in effect for Saturday with the expectation of slick roads and slippery conditions around the region.
Conditions are expected to improve by late night Saturday, according to Kagol.
This is developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
