Two persons have been charged in connection with a man’s shooting death outside a St. Paul pub in October.
Charging records accuse the bartender at Born’s Bar on Rice Street of arranging for the guy, 42-year-old Oscar Lee Covington, to be robbed. Covington, who died over a month after being shot, told authorities that he had approximately $4,500 in cash on him at the time.
According to documents, Covington arrived at the pub at 3:45 p.m. on October 30. He ordered from the bartender, who he said was “overpouring” his beverages.
Documents show that at bout 4 p.m., the bartender called her son’s father. The father then spoke with three persons on the phone, including his son.
Surveillance video from the bar shows Covington on the back patio, drinking, smoking, and using virtual reality goggles. The bartender’s son and a man wearing a pink sweater came to the pub at approximately 4:25 p.m. but left shortly after and drove the bartender’s car closer to the bar.
According to the records, the father and another guy were “posted up” on the sidewalk outside the tavern, watching through the windows.
Covington departed the tavern around 5:42 p.m., according to papers. According to the accusations, the father began strolling with him and then began violently assaulting Covington when they arrived at his car. During the struggle, two guys pulled out firearms, and the son picked up money that had fallen to the ground.
According to records, one of the men then shot Covington in the torso, scattering everyone involved in the robbery. Shortly later, first responders arrived and transported Covington to the hospital. Several things were discovered from the site, including a Glock handgun magazine, two live.40 caliber rounds of ammo, a spent 40 caliber case, an iPhone, and a flip phone. Later, at the hospital, detectives discovered a wallet containing the father’s driver’s license.
The bartender was detained on November 21. She informed police that Covington and her son’s father had a confrontation at some time after Covington called the father a snitch. She denied involvement in the incident.
She has been charged with helping an offender and will make her first court appearance on Friday. Her son’s father has been charged with first-degree riot and two charges of aggravated robbery.
Covington had a heart arrest two days after the shooting and died on November 26.