A 31-year-old St. Paul man has been charged with three counts of second-degree murder after authorities say he fatally shot three employees inside an apartment leasing office following a dispute over a parking garage contract. Investigators allege the suspect opened fire inside the leasing office at Davern Park Apartments on Monday afternoon before fleeing the scene in one of the victims’ vehicles. He was later arrested several hours away in northern Minnesota.
Triple Fatal Shooting at Davern Park Apartments
According to prosecutors, the shooting occurred at approximately 4:10 p.m. Monday at the Davern Park Apartments leasing office in St. Paul’s Highland Park neighborhood, near West Seventh Street and St. Paul Avenue.
Police responded after receiving multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots and screams coming from the leasing office.
When officers arrived, they discovered three employees suffering from fatal gunshot wounds.
The victims were identified as:
- Nansi Fuentes Zambrano, 25, of Inver Grove Heights
- Dena Silcox, 56, of St. Paul
- Adam Wilwerding, 43, of Oakdale
Silcox and Wilwerding were found on the floor inside the leasing office, while Fuentes Zambrano was discovered in the back of the office. Investigators believe she was attempting to escape through a window when she was shot.
Authorities recovered 21 spent shell casings from the crime scene.
Suspect Identified as Tsegaab Binessu
Ramsey County prosecutors charged Tsegaab Binessu, 31, with three counts of second-degree murder.
Following the shooting, investigators say Binessu fled in Fuentes Zambrano’s vehicle.
He was located and arrested later Monday night by law enforcement officers in Virginia, Minnesota, in St. Louis County, roughly 180 miles north of St. Paul.
According to court documents, officers found what appeared to be newly purchased camping supplies inside the vehicle.
Authorities also recovered several personal items from Binessu, including:
- His U.S. passport
- Social Security card
- Permit to carry a firearm
- An empty handgun magazine
Roommate Told Police About Alleged Confession
Court records state that one of the major breaks in the investigation came when Binessu’s roommate contacted police.
The roommate told investigators the two had lived together since 2018 and described Binessu as someone who generally kept to himself.
According to the complaint, earlier Monday the suspect gave his roommate a ride to a bar before selling his own vehicle to CarMax in Maplewood.
Later that day, prosecutors say Binessu returned and allegedly confessed that he had argued with apartment management over canceling his $65-per-month parking garage contract and had killed three employees.
The roommate told police that Binessu said he intended to walk to a police station after the shootings.
Parking Contract Dispute Allegedly Led to Violence
Investigators believe the violence stemmed from a disagreement involving a parking garage agreement.
According to apartment employees interviewed by police, Binessu had called the leasing office seeking to cancel his parking contract.
Staff reportedly informed him that because he had recently renewed the agreement, he could not immediately cancel it and would still be responsible for the payments.
Court records state Binessu told an employee over the phone that he would come to the office to discuss the issue in person.
The employee reportedly responded that the answer would remain the same even if he came in.
Prosecutors allege Binessu arrived at the leasing office shortly afterward, where the deadly shooting unfolded.
Surveillance Video Detailed in Court Documents
The criminal complaint describes surveillance footage that allegedly captured much of the attack.
According to prosecutors:
- Wilwerding was standing near a desk speaking with Binessu.
- Silcox was seated behind the desk.
- Binessu allegedly lifted his shirt, removed a handgun from his waistband, chambered a round, and pointed the weapon at Wilwerding.
- Wilwerding raised his hands before being shot three times.
- After he collapsed, prosecutors say Binessu fired three additional rounds into him.
- Silcox reportedly screamed and repeatedly said “No” while covering her ears.
- Prosecutors allege Binessu then walked around the desk and shot Silcox multiple times.
- She was reportedly struck six times before collapsing.
Court documents state that after the shootings, Binessu walked through the office making profane remarks before heading down a hallway.
The killing of Fuentes Zambrano was not captured on surveillance video, but investigators say screams followed by four additional gunshots were heard on the recording.
Victim’s Vehicle Missing from Parking Lot
Investigators said another witness approached officers at the scene and reported that his girlfriend worked inside the leasing office.
He noticed that her vehicle was missing from the parking lot, leading investigators to believe the suspect had fled in it.
That vehicle was later located during Binessu’s arrest in Virginia, Minnesota.
Statements Made During Police Interview
Following his arrest, Binessu agreed to speak with investigators before eventually requesting an attorney.
According to prosecutors, he discussed several personal struggles during the interview.
Court documents state he complained about what he described as failures of “the American system” and said he had spent seven years trying to bring his wife and children from Ethiopia to the United States.
Investigators say Binessu claimed those immigration delays contributed to the breakdown of his marriage and separation from his children.
He also reportedly told detectives that he had recently quit his trucking job because the emotional stress made it difficult to concentrate while driving.
According to the complaint, Binessu further alleged that apartment management repeatedly blamed issues on “the system” rather than helping him and claimed he had been treated unfairly because he is Black and an immigrant.
The complaint states Binessu repeatedly told investigators he had “lost everything” important in his life, including his family, business and peace of mind.
Although prosecutors say he admitted going to the leasing office after speaking with an employee about the parking contract, he did not explain what occurred during the shootings before requesting legal counsel.
Investigation Continues
Binessu remains in custody while facing three counts of second-degree murder.
Authorities continue processing evidence collected from the leasing office, reviewing surveillance footage, and interviewing witnesses as the investigation moves forward.
If convicted, Binessu could face decades in prison under Minnesota law. Prosecutors have not indicated whether additional charges may be filed as the investigation continues.
