Jason Lee Horner has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after being convicted of second-degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm. The sentencing took place in Steele County court following a jury trial related to the May 2023 killing of Sabrina Schnoor in Owatonna.
According to court records, on May 29, 2023, Horner met his former girlfriend, Sabrina Schnoor, near Morehouse Park in Owatonna. They walked along railroad tracks near Interstate 35 before stopping underneath an overpass. There, Horner shot Schnoor at close range and fled the scene. Schnoor died from her injuries. At the time of the incident, Horner was not legally allowed to possess a firearm.
The prosecution was handled by the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office after a referral from former Steele County Attorney Julia Forbes under Minnesota Statutes section 8.01. This statute allows the attorney general to appear in criminal cases upon request from county attorneys. The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office typically focuses on civil matters and does not have prosecuting authority over most criminal acts unless referred under this provision or for Medicaid fraud cases.
Attorney General Keith Ellison commented on the outcome: “Jason Horner’s crimes are shocking and appalling, and my office has been working tirelessly to ensure justice is served here,” said Attorney General Ellison. “We secured Horner’s conviction alongside our partners in law enforcement, and I am glad he has now been sentenced and will serve time for the pain and suffering he caused. I continue to keep Sabrina’s family and friends in my prayers.”
The investigation into this case was conducted by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Owatonna Police Department.
