An Ethiopian immigrant has been charged with murdering three employees at a St. Paul, Minnesota, apartment complex after allegedly becoming enraged over being unable to cancel a parking garage contract, according to court documents.
Tsegaab Binessu, 30, is accused of fatally shooting apartment employees Adam “AJ” Wilwerding, 43, Dena Silcox, 56, and Nansi Fuentes Zambrano, 25, during a Monday attack at the leasing office before fleeing the scene.
Parking Dispute Allegedly Sparked Rampage
According to charging documents cited by local media, Binessu had recently renewed a $65-per-month parking garage contract but later sought to cancel it because he hoped to join the U.S. Navy.
After contacting the apartment staff, Binessu was allegedly told he could not terminate the agreement immediately after renewing it.
Investigators say he informed employees that he was coming to the leasing office before arriving a short time later.
“He went to the leasing office a short time after that phone call and he executed three workers,” the charging documents state, according to KSTP.
Three Employees Killed
Prosecutors allege Binessu first shot community manager Adam Wilwerding six times.
According to court documents, assistant manager Dena Silcox cried out, “No, no — no no,” after Wilwerding was shot.
Authorities say Binessu then turned his gun on Silcox, firing multiple rounds in rapid succession before delivering another shot after she fell to the floor.
Investigators allege leasing consultant Nansi Fuentes Zambrano attempted to escape through a window at the rear of the office but was shot in the head.
Police recovered 21 spent shell casings from inside the leasing office.
Arrested Hours Later
Following the shootings, Binessu fled approximately 200 miles north before he was arrested in Virginia, Minnesota.
Authorities say he was driving Fuentes Zambrano’s vehicle when taken into custody.
According to investigators, Binessu later admitted to his roommate over the phone that he had killed three apartment employees after arguing with management. The roommate subsequently contacted law enforcement.
Court documents state that Binessu told his roommate “he had argued with apartment management and ended up killing three people.”
Frustrations With Immigration Process
Authorities say Binessu declined to explain in detail what occurred inside the leasing office during the shooting but went into detail about his personal gripes and challenges after murdering three.
During questioning, investigators say Binessu expressed deep frustration with both his personal circumstances and the United States immigration system.
According to court documents, he told investigators he had spent seven years trying unsuccessfully to bring his wife and children from Ethiopia to the United States, saying the prolonged immigration process contributed to the breakdown of his marriage.
Police say Binessu complained that he “hated the American system” and believed he had been treated unfairly because he was black and an immigrant.
The charging documents state that Binessu repeatedly said he had “lost everything” that mattered to him, including his wife, children, business and peace of mind.
Investigators also said he reported quitting his job as a truck driver because of stress.
Faces Multiple Murder Charges
Binessu has been charged with three counts of second-degree murder. He is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.
Under Minnesota law, each count carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.
Community Mourns Victims
Friends, family members and residents gathered Tuesday for a vigil honoring the three victims.
Silcox’s loved ones remembered her as someone whose “vibrant spirit” brought joy to those around her.
“Her sudden and violent passing has left us all in shock,” family members wrote in an online fundraiser, adding that her children “meant the world to her.”
At the vigil, Silcox’s father described her as “a fabulous piano player,” while her brother said she had “a fire in her belly.”
Friends also remembered Fuentes Zambrano as someone who deserved “so much more than what was given to her.”
Residents praised Wilwerding for his kindness and dedication to the apartment community.
“They were just good people, really good people,” resident Ashley Chester told KARE 11. “We’re definitely together, and we’re going to stay together. We’re family now, at this point.”
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