On June 13, 2020, 23-year-old makeup artist Nia A. Black of Saint Paul was struck by a bullet and killed while trying to leave a large fight in the parking lot of the Lamplighter Cocktail Lounge at 160 Larpenteur Avenue West. She was declared dead at the scene after the driver stopped for a sheriff’s deputy to get help.

The primary suspect is 35-year-old James Jones Fields, who has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder. Investigators say witness statements and video footage placed Fields moving from the bar to his car and back shortly before the shooting; a search warrant at his home allegedly turned up clothing matching what he wore that night, and cell phone records allegedly placed him at the scene.

Any witnesses who were at the Lamplighter that night or who have information about the shooting are asked to come forward.