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Marques Gaines' Alleged Attacker Arrested In Minnesota

By David Matthews | January 27, 2017 5:16pm | Updated on January 30, 2017 8:41am
 Minnesota police say they arrested a man wanted for knocking Marques Gaines (right) unconscious and leaving him to die on Super Bowl Sunday in front of a 7-Eleven store in River North.
Minnesota police say they arrested a man wanted for knocking Marques Gaines (right) unconscious and leaving him to die on Super Bowl Sunday in front of a 7-Eleven store in River North.
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Evan Smola/Ashley Strandburg

RIVER NORTH — Minnesota officials say they've arrested a 32-year-old man in connection to an attack on Marques Gaines, the bartender who was knocked out and later run over and killed by a cab last year in front of a busy River North 7-Eleven. 

The man was arrested Monday by Minneapolis police, and a judge ordered his extradition back to Chicago on Wednesday, said Chuck Laszewski, a spokesman for the Hennepin County Attorney's Office in Minnesota.

Minneapolis police made the arrest pursuant to an outstanding warrant for felony assault with a dangerous weapon out of Cook County, according to a copy of the police report obtained by DNAinfo. The report said the man was a resident of St. Paul, Minn.

It's unclear whether he has been brought to Chicago. 

Spokespeople for the Chicago Police Department referred questions Friday afternoon to the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, which referred questions back to police and the Cook County Sheriff's Office. A spokeswoman for Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart did not have an immediate comment.

The Tribune first reported news of the arrest Friday afternoon.

Surveillance tape released last year by Gaines' family shows a man punch Gaines outside the store Feb. 7, 2016, at 418 N. State St., knocking him unconscious into the street, where he was run over by a passing cab. He was 32 years old. 

Gaines, who grew up in suburban Atlanta before moving to Chicago in 2009, had many friends and was well-liked, said those close to him. Friends and family had pressured police to make an arrest as the anniversary of Gaines' death neared.

"He just radiated love," said Ashley Strandburg, a close friend of Gaines. 

"We are so pleased that action has been taken on this case and are extremely grateful that the Minneapolis Police Department was able to apprehend Marques' attacker," Strandburg wrote in an email Friday afternoon. "While it won't bring Marques back to us, this does bring us one step closer to justice, closure, and peace."

Gaines' family, who live in suburban Atlanta, sued 7-Eleven, the taxi driver who allegedly hit Gaines and various other defendants last year. The lawsuit is pending. 

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