Cham Obang Oman sentenced to more than 28 years for aiding and abetting 2nd degree murder

Oman received 338-month sentence following jury convictions for June 2023 drive-by shooting in Mower County

September 19, 2025 (SAINT PAUL) — Yesterday afternoon, a Mower County court sentenced Cham Obang Oman to 338 months in prison for his role in a June 2023 drive-by shooting in Austin, Minnesota.  On July 14, 2025, a jury convicted Oman of aiding and abetting second degree murder and two counts of aiding and abetting attempted murder in the second degree – following a June 2023 drive-by shooting that killed one person and injured two others.

On June 9, 2023, 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.  The district court sentenced Abella for his role on July 31, 2025.

Attorney General Ellison’s office prosecuted Oman upon a referral from Mower County Attorney Kristen Nelsen under Minnesota Statutes section 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 authority vested in the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office is primarily civil. Outside of referrals submitted under section 8.01 and Medicaid fraud, the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office does not have prosecuting authority over most criminal acts.  That authority generally rests with city and county attorneys.

“Cham Oman aided and abetted a horrific crime, and now he will be paying the price for it,” said Attorney General Ellison. “I am grateful to the members of law enforcement who investigated this heinous act, and I am pleased my office was able to convict Oman for his part in it. I will continue doing everything in my power to ensure those who harm their fellow Minnesotans face justice.”

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Austin Police Department, the Mower County Sheriff’s Office, and the Albert Lea Police Department investigated this crime.