Attorney General’s Office secures 2nd degree murder convictions in Mower County

Jury convicts Cham Obang Oman of charges including aiding and abetting second-degree murder and attempted murder following June 2023 drive-by shooting

Attorney General’s Office prosecuted case on referral from Mower County Attorney’s Office, per state law

July 14, 2025 (SAINT PAUL) — After a jury trial lasting more than two weeks, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office has secured the conviction of Cham Obang Oman on multiple charges — including aiding and abetting second degree murder and two counts of attempted murder – following a June 2023 drive-by shooting in Austin that killed one person and injured two others.

On June 9, 2023, Cham Obang Oman participated in a drive-by shooting with codefendants Jenup Stepen Chop and Manamany Omot Abella.  Oman drove the vehicle from which Chop fired over 20 rounds at another vehicle, killing Gumdel Gilo and injuring Isaiah Johnson and Shelissa Bentzin.  Chop also fired numerous rounds at a witness on a motorcycle, who pursued the vehicle containing Oman, Chop, and Abella.  Prior to the shooting, Oman purchased an extended magazine for Chop, who has also been convicted of murder. Chop was sentenced for his crimes on February 28, 2025.  Abella is pending sentencing.

Attorney General Ellison’s office prosecuted Oman, Chop, and Abella upon a referral from the Mower County Attorney Kristen Nelsen under Minnesota Statutes Sec. 8.01, which provides, “Upon request of the county attorney, the attorney general shall appear in court in such criminal cases as the attorney general deems proper.”

“The actions of Cham Oman and his accomplices are shocking and appalling, and my heart goes out to their victims,” said Attorney General Keith Ellison. “When I was first elected Attorney General of Minnesota, I made it a priority to expand the office’s Criminal Division so we could take on more cases like this. I believe every Minnesotan deserves to live with dignity, safety, and respect, and I will continue partnering with law enforcement across our state to prosecute violent criminals who pose a threat to our safety.”

Attorney General Ellison thanks the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Austin Police Department, the Mower County Sheriff’s Office, and the Albert Lea Police Department, who assisted in the investigation and successful prosecution of this crime.