The tragic incident involving the murder of Davion Brown by a teenager, Knyaw Taw, unfolded in a disturbing sequence of events. On a September afternoon, Knyaw Taw approached Brown and several others outside a tobacco store on the Greater East Side of St. Paul. Witnesses observed Knyaw Taw dismounting his bicycle and, without hesitation, drawing a 9mm Smith & Wesson handgun from his waistband. He then fired multiple shots at Brown, who was unaware and had his back turned, resulting in six gunshot wounds.
Subsequent legal proceedings revealed that Knyaw Taw, who was only 16 at the time of the crime, pled guilty to second-degree murder after waiving his rights to remain in juvenile court. The court sentenced him to 23 years in prison, referencing state sentencing guidelines. The presiding judge, Jacob Kraus, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and the path that led a young man to imprisonment.
The court proceedings did not reveal a motive for the shooting. In the wake of the incident, law enforcement reviewed surveillance footage capturing the event. The video showed Knyaw Taw, wearing a black face mask, approaching the scene on his bike, exchanging words near a parked Ford Expedition SUV, and then targeting Brown. After the shooting, he fled the scene, which led to his eventual apprehension by authorities.
Investigators reported that Knyaw Taw, a resident of St. Paul, had a history of nonviolent offenses and was wanted under an active warrant in Ramsey County at the time of the murder. His attorney highlighted a background marked by trauma and addiction since early childhood, as he migrated to the United States from a refugee camp in Laos at the age of six. Despite these adversities, his actions left a community in mourning.
In court, Brown’s mother, Kilolo Claiborne, expressed the profound impact of her son’s death, emphasizing the loss of a cherished family member. In contrast, Knyaw Taw offered a brief apology for his actions. The case remains a poignant reminder of the devastating consequences of violence and the enduring pain it inflicts on families and communities alike.