Man who killed Duluth cop in 1990 dies in prison
DULUTH -- The man convicted of fatally shooting a Duluth police officer in 1990 has died in a prison hospice.
The Duluth News Tribune reports 69-year-old Lawrence Montanaro died Friday at the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Oak Park Heights.
Montanaro died of apparent natural causes. But a Minnesota Department of Corrections spokesman says the Ramsey County Medical Examiner will determine cause of death.
On April 9, 1990, Montanaro fired 15 shots in three separate bursts at police officers from inside a room in the Seaway Hotel. Sgt. Gary Wilson was hit twice and died. Another officer was seriously wounded.
Earlier that evening, Montanaro shot Mark Chumich after the two had been drinking at a bar. Chumich survived. Montanaro was convicted of first-degree murder and attempted murder and was sentenced to life in prison.