A jury in Steele County has found Jason Lee Horner guilty on five charges, including second-degree felony murder and possession of a firearm or ammunition by an ineligible person. The conviction follows the killing of Sabrina Schnoor in Owatonna, Minnesota, on May 29, 2023.
According to the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, Horner shot and killed his former girlfriend, Sabrina Schnoor, under a highway overpass after meeting her at Morehouse Park and walking along railroad tracks near I-35. Authorities say Horner fired a single gunshot through Schnoor’s mouth at close range before fleeing the scene. Schnoor died from her injuries.
The case was prosecuted by the office of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison after a referral from Steele County Attorney Robert Jarrett under Minnesota Statutes section 8.01. This statute allows the attorney general to appear in court for criminal cases upon request from county attorneys. The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office typically handles civil matters and does not have prosecuting authority over most criminal acts except for referrals under this statute and Medicaid fraud cases; such authority usually belongs to city and county attorneys.
“My heart goes out to Sabrina Schnoor’s family, friends, and loved ones,” said Attorney General Ellison. “She was a mother, an artist, and someone who brought tremendous joy and happiness to those around her. And Sabrina was taken from us far too soon. Today, a jury of Jason Horner’s peers held him accountable for Sabrina’s murder. I hope that can bring some measure of solace to Sabrina’s loved ones.”
Attorney General Ellison expressed gratitude to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Owatonna Police Department for their assistance in investigating and prosecuting the case.
