MANKATO — A Mankato man has pleaded guilty to second-degree intentional murder in the fatal shooting of a man last year, agreeing to a 40-year prison sentence under a plea agreement.
A’Quan Kaishaid Laurence Thornton, 24, petitioned a guilty plea on July 14 to one count of second-degree intentional murder, according to the filing in Blue Earth County District Court. As part of the plea agreement, a first-degree murder charge was dropped, Thornton agreed to an aggravated durational departure, meaning above the standard Minnesota sentencing guidelines, and a 40-year prison sentence.
In January, Thornton was indicted by a Blue Earth County grand jury on first- and second-degree murder charges in connection with the Nov. 9, 2025, shooting death of Muridi Hassan Hussein, 27, also of Mankato. After responding to reported gunshorts, officers found Hussein dead in a vehicle from a gunshot wound to the neck, off Star Street and near the 1600 block of Madison Avenue.
Court documents state investigators learned Hussein had been driving with three passengers when he received a video call from Thornton, who allegedly displayed an assault rifle-style firearm, discussed owing Hussein money and made threats. Witnesses told investigators Hussein then drove to Holly Lane, where Thornton was standing with the firearm.
Surveillance video reviewed by investigators showed Thornton carrying a firearm into and out of the apartment building around the time of the shooting, according to the complaint. During an interview with investigators, Thornton told police he fired warning shots after Hussein allegedly tried to run him over.
Thornton is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 27.