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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 28, 2026
CONTACT:
Inspector Matt Rabe #216
Public Information Officer
BPPD-PIO@brooklynpark.org
763-493-8222
Brooklyn Park, MN – On March 11, 2026, shortly after midnight, Brooklyn Park officers responded to the intersection of 70th Ave N and Maryland Ave N for a report of a disturbance. When they arrived, they found one individual, Johnny Robinson, at the scene. After conducting an investigation, officers learned that two friends, Jontae Lee and Johnny Robinson, had been in a disagreement and that Jontae had left the scene on foot. Initial reports indicated that Jontae had attacked Johnny.
Officers set up a perimeter of the area and conducted a search with the use of a canine. Due to snowy weather, a drone could not be utilized, and Jontae was not located. A metro-wide “be on the lookout” was issued for Jontae Lee, and officers entered Jontae as missing when he failed to return home later that day, March 11, 2026.
The case was assigned to Brooklyn Park Investigations, and detectives quickly began searching for Jontae. Detectives retrieved video from nearby businesses, spoke to family and witnesses, and interviewed Jontae’s girlfriend.
Over the course of two months, detectives searched the area on foot, flew drones, conducted multiple separate canine searches, and requested assistance from Northstar Search and Rescue to use their canines and a specialized water searching drone for the drainage pond. Detectives also requested assistance from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. During that time, detectives executed several search warrants for cell phone data, social media data, and other electronic information.
On May 26, 2026, at approximately 1:30 p.m., agents from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension deployed a specialized electronics-sniffing canine in the 6900 block of Lakeland Ave N. During this search, a body was located partially submerged in the reeds of a drainage pond. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity as 27-year-old Jontae Brandon Lee.
On May 28, 2026, at 8:00 p.m., Brooklyn Park detectives located and arrested 22-year-old Johnny Derek Robinson in connection with the death of Jontae Lee. Johnny is being held at the Brooklyn Park Police Department Jail for probable cause murder.
The Brooklyn Park Police Department worked tirelessly on this case to locate Jontae Lee and to ensure that the person responsible for his death is held accountable. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Jontae during their time of loss and sorrow.
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If you need this information in another language or format or disability accommodations, email access@brooklynpark.org or call 763-424-8000.
Si usted necesita esta información en español: 763-424-8000
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