An Ethiopian immigrant has been charged in the triple slaying of a man and two women at an apartment complex in St. Paul’s Highland neighborhood on Monday in what charges indicate were execution-style murders over a $65 garage fee dispute.
Tsegaab Ademassu Binessu, 30, has been charged with three counts of second-degree intentional murder without premeditation in the shootings that left behind 21 spent shell casings and killed Nansi G. Fuentes Zambrano, 25, of Inver Grove Heights, Dena M. Silcox, 56, of St. Paul, and Adam J. Wilwerding, 43, of Oakdale.
According to the criminal complaint:
Police responded to multiple 911 calls about gunshots and found the three victims dead in the leasing office of the complex. Police then spoke to Binessu’s roommate who called to report that Binessu had confessed to the killings.
The roommate explained he had lived with Binessu at their apartment on the 1500 block of St. Paul Avenue since 2018. He said that Binessu had given the roommate a ride to the bar, after which Binessu planned on selling his car to CarMax in Maplewood. The roommate thought Binessu planned to speak with apartment management about cancelling his $65/month parking garage contract because he had sold his car. The roommate spoke to Binessu hours later and Binessu said he had argued with apartment management and ended up killing three people. Binessu told his roommate that he was walking to a police station.
Officers confirmed that Binessu had sold his vehicle to CarMax on July 20, 2026.
Meanwhile, a man approached officers at the apartment building and told them that he thought his girlfriend was one of the victims and said his girlfriend’s vehicle was not outside the building complex where employees parked.
Video surveillance captured the killings, which showed Binessu lift his shirt to reveal a gun in the presence of Wilwerding and Silcox, who were in the office. Binessu pulled the gun, chambered a round and proceeded to shoot Wilwerding three times and then another three times after he fell to the ground. Silcox covered her ears and said, “No, no—no, no, no” before Binessu shot her five times in rapid succession.
When Silcox wheeled her chair backward, Binessu shot her a sixth time. She then fell to the floor. Binessu stalked around the office and said, “Motherfucking bitch” before heading down a hallway out of camera view. A woman’s screams were heard on the video followed by four additional gunshots. It’s believed Fuentes Zambrano was trying to escape out a window before being shot.
Binessu was later arrested driving Fuentes Zambrano’s car in St. Louis County, Minn., after an alert went out about the vehicle. Inside the vehicle appeared to be newly purchased camping gear. Binessu was in possession of his United States passport, his Social Security card, an empty handgun magazine, and his permit to carry a firearm when he was arrested. Upon arrest, Binessu was wearing red pants, a shirt with white and black vertical stripes, and a gold watch that matched what the shooter in the video was wearing at the time of the killings.
Binessu agreed to speak to police after being advised of his rights. When asked why he thought he had been brought to the police station, Binessu complained about and said he hated the American system. Binessu complained of unsuccessfully trying to bring his wife and children from Ethiopia for seven years and said the prolonged immigration process contributed to his divorce and separation from his children.
Binessu said he quit his job as a truck driver because stress over his family situation kept him from concentrating. He complained that his apartment management repeatedly blamed issues on “the system” instead of helping him. Binessu said he believes he was treated unfairly because he is black and an immigrant, according to the complaint.
Binessu also said he recently sold his car because he planned on joining the military. He said he called the apartment leasing office to cancel payment for his garage space. The woman he spoke to told Binessu that he remained obligated to pay for the garage because of the contract, and she repeatedly told him it was “the system” and could not be changed. Binessu admitted he went to the leasing office, but he did not explain what happened there. When investigators continued asking Binessu what happened in the leasing office, Binessu asked for an attorney, and the interview was ended.
Binessu made his first court appearance on Wednesday and was granted a public defender. He is being held in Ramsey County Jail on $10 million bail.
Alpha News reached out to sources to confirm Binessu’s citizenship status but did not receive a response prior to publication.
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Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
Crime Watch MN
Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
