Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena announced that Willie John Selmon II, age 40 and Billy Joe Pryor, Jr., age 25, both of Apple Valley, have been charged* with one count of Murder in the Second Degree (With Intent / Not Premeditated), in connection with a shooting incident that killed 49-year-old Michelle McGill in Apple Valley on July 10, 2022.
The following is a summary of the allegations contained in the criminal complaints filed this week in this case:
On July 10, 2022, around 6:30 p.m., Apple Valley police officers responded to a residence in Apple Valley upon several reports of shots fired. They were advised that an individual was laying on the ground by a vehicle at the residence and a black male wearing black pants with braided hair ran behind a house across the street. Upon arrival an officer observed a black male with dreadlocks wearing black pants running towards the vehicle in the driveway of the residence from a nearby residence. The male was identified as Billy Pryor, Jr.
The officer observed a deceased female lying next to the vehicle in the driveway. The female appeared to have suffered multiple gunshot wounds to her lower abdomen, a shot to the chest and a shot to her thigh. The female was identified as Michelle McGill, the mother of Pryor.
Witnesses reported seeing a tan SUV leaving the scene after the gunshots ended. A short time later a tan SUV arrived at a hospital in Burnsville, and Willie John Selmon, II, went into the hospital to seek medical attention for gunshot wounds to his head. Selmon was transported to another hospital where officers took a statement from him.
During his statement to police, Selmon stated he'd been in a long-term relationship with McGill but they recently separated. Selmon and McGill previously shared the residence in Apple Valley. On July 10th he went to the residence to obtain some of his personal property. When he arrived at the residence McGill and Pryor were in their respective vehicles parked in the driveway. Selmon parked his SUV in the driveway behind McGill's vehicle, walked to the garage to retrieve some belongings; and then returned to his SUV. Pryor backed his vehicle up so he was parked adjacent to Selmon's vehicle, with Selmon's passenger side next to Pryor's driver's side. Pryor then made a statement to Selmon about having a gun. Pryor next fired shots at Selmon as they were both sitting in their respective vehicles. Shots fired by Pryor hit Selmon in the face. After being shot, Selmon exited his vehicle and ran to the front of McGill's vehicle believing Pryor would stop shooting if his mother was between them. Pryor exited his vehicle, went to the passenger's side and the two exchanged gunfire. Pryor then fled on foot to the south of the residence. Selmon followed after Pryor, continuing to fire shots at him. Bullet holes were found in the home located to the south of the driveway consistent with the direction Pryor was running and Selmon was shooting. There were people in his home as the shooting took place.
During this exchange McGill was seated in her vehicle in the driveway, between Pryor and Selmon, and was fatally shot. An autopsy was performed and it was determined she suffered ten gunshot wounds.
Additional facts pertaining to this case can be found in the criminal complaints at Criminal Complaint Search. If in custody, a booking photo can be viewed at Inmate Search.
Selmon (Dakota County Court File No. 19HA-CR-23-805) appeared yesterday on this new charge. Bail in the amount of $1,000,000 without conditions ($500,000 with conditions), was set by Judge Joseph Carter. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 15, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. in Hastings. Related to this case, Selmon remains charged in a separate complaint with Assault in the Second Degree and Reckless Discharge of a Firearm (Dakota County Court File No. 19HA-CR-22-1795).
Pryor (Dakota County Court File No. 19HA-CR-23-803) appeared today on this new charge. Bail was set in the amount of $100,000 without conditions ($50,000 with conditions). His next court appearance is scheduled for May 3, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. in Hastings. Related to this case, Pryor remains charged in a separate complaint with Assault in the Second Degree and Possession of a Pistol without a Permit (Dakota County Court File No. 19HA-CR-22-1778).
If you have questions, contact Kathy Keena at 651-438-4440.
*Criminal charges are not evidence of guilt. A defendant/suspect is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.