A Minot man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter and tampering with physical evidence in connection with a fatal shooting in August.

Johnathan Lee Decoteau, 19, entered his change of plea in North Central District Court on Wednesday, Dec. 3, pleading guilty to the Class B and C felonies. A Class A misdemeanor count of false information to law enforcement was dismissed in accordance with a plea agreement.

According to court documents, Decoteau was arrested in connection with the death of Dorian Thomas-Harris, 19, Minot, who was found dead from a gunshot wound to his head in the early morning of Aug. 13.

Decoteau approached officers at the scene and originally stated he was not present when Thomas-Harris was shot but that the victim had taken Decoteau’s firearm and shot himself. Decoteau claimed he picked up the firearm and shell casing and fled in panic. The firearm was later recovered at Decoteau’s vehicle, but the shell casing was not.

According to court documents, the autopsy of the victim determined the cause of death was homicide because the angle of the bullet’s trajectory made it unlikely it was self-inflicted. According to court documents, several individuals also provided conflicting testimony to investigators, stating Decoteau had previously pointed his firearm recklessly at others and had admitted he had shot Thomas-Harris accidentally.

A third individual eventually came forward who told investigators about witnessing Decoteau displaying his firearm before the shooting, although the individual didn’t believe Decouteau had shot him maliciously.

A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for Feb. 11.