Charges: Minnesota Victim Shot 9 Times

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Richfield man is accused of fatally shooting an acquaintance who was allegedly bullying him.

Twenty-one-year-old Jonathan Tadeo Bello-Sanchez was charged Tuesday with second-degree murder. He's accused in the Saturday shooting death of 20-year-old Fernando Leon-Celis inside Bello-Sanchez's home.

The Hennepin County medical examiner says the victim was shot nine times.

Bello-Sanchez maintains he was defending himself from a bully. But the evidence shows the victim appeared to have been repeatedly pistol-whipped before he was shot at close range, including four times from behind.

According to charges, Bello-Sanchez said the two were arguing about money when the shooting occurred.

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman says the shooting may be gang-related, though he wouldn't specify what gang or who was a member.