Authorities have concluded a complex investigation into the killing of 28-year-old Da’Vonte Jovan Adams, who was shot multiple times during a violent encounter in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 17, 2024. The case has resulted in convictions for both suspects — Vernon Sirhyde Archie, 28, and Megan Renee Karjala, 25 — following a series of arrests, forensic discoveries, and courtroom proceedings.
At approximately 4:43 a.m. that morning, Minneapolis police responded to a report of a shooting on the 2200 block of 5th Avenue North. When officers arrived, they found Adams suffering from life-threatening gunshot wounds to his face, neck, chest, and torso. He was rushed to the hospital but later died from his injuries.
Witnesses told investigators they heard a male and female arguing just before gunfire erupted, followed by a man shouting for help. One 911 caller reported seeing the pair drive away in Adams’ Chevy Suburban, which was later confirmed stolen.
Two days later, on May 19, Adams’ SUV was recovered by police, with DNA evidence linking both Archie and Karjala to the vehicle.
The breakthrough in the investigation came on May 20, when St. Paul police responded to a report of shots fired on Isabel Street. Officers found Archie and Karjala near a stolen Honda SUV. Inside, police discovered two loaded handguns — a .45-caliber and a .380-caliber — along with ammunition, illicit drugs, and burglary tools. Ballistics testing confirmed that the .45-caliber firearm had been used to kill Adams.
Investigators also obtained surveillance footage from the night of the murder. The video showed Archie and Karjala walking on opposite sides of the street, both wearing ski masks. Moments later, Adams pulled up in his vehicle, and Karjala entered the passenger seat. Shortly afterward, gunfire erupted.
When questioned, Karjala admitted she and Archie were desperate for money and had been instructed by a friend on how to steal vehicles. She said she met Adams through a dating app, arranged a meeting, and — along with Archie — attempted to steal his keys. Adams fled, but Archie chased him and fired multiple shots. Karjala also admitted to pointing her own weapon, the .380-caliber pistol seized in St. Paul, at Adams during the incident.
Both suspects were charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder. On April 15, 2025, Karjala pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery in exchange for testifying against Archie. On July 18, Archie was convicted on two counts of second-degree murder and now faces a maximum of 40 years in prison when sentenced on September 11.
On August 12, Karjala was convicted of first-degree aggravated robbery and sentenced to 4.75 years in prison, with credit for 183 days already served.
What began as a meeting arranged through a dating app ended in a deadly ambush, a stolen vehicle, and a chain of evidence that ultimately brought both perpetrators to justice.
Leave a Reply