A dispute over a $65-a-month parking garage agreement allegedly escalated into deadly violence at a Minnesota apartment complex, where authorities say an Ethiopian migrant fatally shot three property managers after being told he could not cancel the contract.
Tsegaab Ademassu Binessu, 30, has been charged with three counts of second-degree intentional murder in connection with Monday’s killings of Nansi G. Fuentes Zambrano, 25, Dena M. Silcox, 56, and Adam J. Wilwerding, 43, at a St. Paul residential building, according to court filings.
Prosecutors said the confrontation began after Binessu, who is from Ethiopia, contacted apartment staff to end his monthly parking arrangement because he had sold his vehicle. Staff members allegedly told him the contract could not be canceled because it had recently been renewed.
After receiving that response, Binessu allegedly told employees he planned to come to the management office in person, authorities said.
Tsegaab Ademassu Binessu, 30, is accused of killing three people following a dispute over his $65 monthly parking garage contract at his St. Paul, Minnesota, apartment building. (FOX 9)
When he arrived, investigators allege, he opened fire inside the leasing office, killing all three victims. Officers later recovered 21 spent 9mm shell casings at the scene.
Soon after the shooting, police received a call from a man who said he had been Binessu’s roommate since 2018. The roommate told investigators that Binessu, who had hoped to join the U.S. Navy, called him after the attack and admitted to the triple homicide, saying he was walking to a police station.
The roommate also told authorities that Binessu had worked as a truck driver but left the job about two months earlier and was planning to enlist in the military. Police said Binessu sold his car on the same day the shooting took place.
The roommate said he spoke with Binessu, who allegedly stated he “argued with apartment management and ended up killing three people.”
A St. Paul police vehicle at the scene where three people were shot and killed at an apartment complex. (FOX 9)
Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators captured Binessu talking with Silcox and Wilwerding.
At some point, Binessu allegedly pulled up his shirt, grabbed his gun from his waistband, pointed the weapon at Wilwerding — who put his hands in front of his body — and shot him three times.
Binessu then fired three more times as Wilwerding fell to the floor, court documents said.
Silcox screamed and covered her ears when Binessu allegedly shot Wilwerding, saying, “No, no— no, no, no.”
Binessu is then accused of shooting Silcox five times in rapid succession, according to court documents. As she wheeled her chair away from the desk, Binessu allegedly shot her a sixth time.
Binessu stalked around the office and said, “Motherf—— b—-,” court documents said. He then moved toward a hallway out of the camera’s view, where a woman’s screams could be heard, followed by four more gunshots.
Prosecutors said Binessu was arrested while driving Fuentes Zambrano’s car, which contained what appeared to be newly purchased camping gear, according to the charges. Inside the vehicle, authorities found his U.S. passport, Social Security card, an empty handgun magazine, and his firearm permit.
During an interview with investigators, Binessu allegedly voiced frustration with the “prolonged immigration process” and not being able to bring his wife and children to the United States for seven years, which he said contributed to his divorce and separation from his children.
“Binessu believes he was treated unfairly because he is Black and an immigrant,” the documents said. “Binessu repeatedly said he has lost everything he cared about: his wife, his children, his business, his peace of mind. Binessu said life without his family no longer made sense.”
He remains in police custody.
