Hans Madave, a 20-year-old man, has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Yaseen Thomas Johnson over a pair of Balenciaga sneakers. Madave’s co-conspirator, Augustus Sirleaf, is also facing charges. If convicted, Sirleaf could face up to 40 years in prison. Madave, on the other hand, is expected to serve between 12.5 and 15 years behind bars. The incident occurred in November 2022 when Johnson went to a Plymouth apartment complex to buy the sneakers but was shot three times in a robbery scheme. FOX 9 reported
Yaseen Thomas Johnson, a teenager from Albertville, was tragically shot and killed over a pair of Balenciaga sneakers. Hans Madave, a 20-year-old man, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder with intent in the fatal shooting. According to court records, the incident occurred on November 14, 2022, when Johnson went to a Plymouth apartment complex to purchase the high-end sneakers. However, instead of completing the transaction, he was shot three times as part of a robbery scheme.
Madave’s alleged co-conspirator, Augustus Sirleaf, had informed Madave and another individual named L.W. about his plan to commit a robbery, and they agreed to assist him. The trio met up, and Sirleaf and Madave discussed the details of the robbery.
On the day of the incident, a witness accompanied Johnson to the apartment parking lot for the sneaker purchase. Upon arrival, they encountered Sirleaf and Madave, who were standing near the garbage cans. Sirleaf got into the witness’s vehicle with Johnson and engaged in a conversation about the shoes in the backseat. At some point, Sirleaf gave Johnson one of the shoes, and Johnson gave Sirleaf half of the money. After examining the shoe, Johnson decided to keep it and handed the rest of the money to Sirleaf. However, Sirleaf demanded that Johnson return the shoe, which he refused. It was then that Sirleaf allegedly pulled out a gun and pointed it at Johnson, according to the witness’s account provided to the police.
Law enforcement quickly responded to the scene and discovered Johnson slumped over in the passenger seat of a vehicle parked near the dumpsters. The rear doors of the car were open, and there were bullet holes in the windshield. Tragically, Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sirleaf is currently facing charges of second-degree murder with intent and second-degree murder while committing a felony for his alleged involvement in the crime. His trial is scheduled for September 13, and if convicted, he could face up to 40 years of imprisonment.
As part of Madave’s plea agreement, one additional felony second-degree murder charge was dropped. He is expected to serve a sentence ranging from 12.5 to 15 years in prison.
The family and friends of Yaseen Thomas Johnson gathered outside the Hennepin County courthouse to express their grief and sorrow over his untimely death. This incident serves as a tragic reminder of the consequences that can arise from the dangerous world of sneaker reselling and the lengths some individuals are willing to go to obtain highly sought-after items. The loss of Yaseen Thomas Johnson has left a void in the lives of his loved ones, who will forever remember him as a vibrant and promising young individual whose life was cut short due to senseless violence..