Crazed Ethiopian migrant complained about 'The American System' after brutally killing three Minnesotans over petty $65 parking dispute

Published: 03:26, 23 July 2026 | Updated: 03:26, 23 July 2026 An Ethiopian man is accused of fatally gunning down three people over a $65 parking fee at his apartment complex. Tsegaab Binessu, 30, is facing three counts of second-degree murder for the alleged rampage on Monday that took the lives of Nansi Fuentes Zambrano, 25, Dena Silcox, 56, and Adam Wilwerding, 43. All three worked for the property management company at his apartment complex. Binessu had been infuriated that he could not get a refund on his $65 parking pass at the Davern Park Apartments in St Paul, Minnesota.  He stormed into the leasing office at around 4pm and opened fire, authorities have claimed in charging documents obtained by KSTP. When he was taken into custody later that night, Binessu allegedly expressed disappointment with the 'American system.' He complained he had tried for seven years to bring his wife and kids to the US from Ethiopia, and blamed the separation for his divorce, authorities said. Binessu also allegedly said the woman who originally told him he could not cancel his parking garage contract on the phone 'repeatedly told him it was the "system"' and could not be changed, according to Fox 9. Tsegaab Binessu, 30, is facing three counts of second-degree murder for allegedly gunning down three people who worked for the property management company at his apartment complex Nansi Fuentes Zambrano, 25, and Dena Silcox, 56, were killed in the rampage Adam Wilwerding, 43, was the first one killed when Binessu allegedly opened fire 'This shocking act of violence has shaken our community, and we thank the St Paul Police Department and other assisting police agencies for their quick work to bring the suspect into custody,' Ramsey County Attorney John Choi said in a statement. '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 and seek justice for our community and victims,' he vowed.  Police had initially said they received multiple calls on Monday night from people who reported hearing screams and gunshots at the apartment complex near the intersection of St Paul Avenue and West Seventh Street in the city's Highland Park neighborhood. One of those callers identified himself as Binessu's roommate since 2018, according to the charging documents. He told police how Binessu told him he went to the leasing office, argued with management and killed three people. Binessu then allegedly said he was walking to the police station. The roommate also told cops that Binessu had quit his job as a truck driver two months ago and had planned on enlisting in the US Navy. He had planned to sell his car and cancel the $65-a-month parking garage contract at the apartment, the roommate said. Apartment staff later also told authorities that Binessu had called earlier in the day to cancel the parking contract, but they told him he couldn't get out of paying it as he recently renewed it. Binessu then allegedly replied that he was going down to the leasing office to talk about it in person, to which the woman on the other end said he would receive the same response.  Police had initially said they received multiple calls on Monday night from people who reported hearing screams and gunshots at the apartment complex in St Paul, Minnesota Officers found the three victims dead at the scene, along with 21 spent shell casings Surveillance footage from the leasing office then allegedly showed Silcox and Wilwerding talking to Binessu, when he suddenly lifted his shirt, pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the workers. Wilwerding put his hands in front of his body in a desperate attempt to protect himself, the charging documents state, as Binessu fired three times. He then allegedly fired another three rounds as Wilwerding fell to the ground.  Meanwhile, police said, Silcox screamed and covered her ears – repeatedly saying, 'No, no, no.' At that point, Binessu shot her five times in rapid succession, and as she tried to push her chair from the desk, he fired at her once more. Before the camera feed ended, authorities said, Binessu walked down a hallway out of view of the camera when a scream could be heard followed by four more gunshots. Police now say Zambrano was shot as she tried to escape through the office window.  When authorities then arrived on the scene, they found all three victims dead from multiple gunshot wounds as a man told officers his girlfriend was one of the victims and her car was missing from the parking lot. Officers also found a total of 21 spent shell casings at the scene.   Binessu was ultimately arrested several hours later, driving Zambrano's vehicle in Virginia, Minnesota - about 200 miles north of St Paul Binessu was ultimately arrested several hours later, driving Zambrano's vehicle in Virginia, Minnesota – about 200 miles north of St Paul, CBS News reports. There appeared to be newly-bought camping gear inside the vehicle, along with Binessu's US passport, Social Security card, an empty handgun magazine and his permit to carry a firearm, police said. The suspect was also allegedly wearing the same outfit that he was seen wearing in the surveillance footage. When he was then taken into custody, Binessu bemoaned what he dubbed the 'American system' as he claimed he was treated unfairly due to his race and immigration history. He also said he had lost everything he cared about – including his business, peace of mind and his family – and said his life without them didn't make sense anymore. But Binessu did not confess to the shooting, only admitting that he went to the leasing office and had a dispute with the staff there. He then made his first court appearance on Wednesday, when a judge ordered him to stay behind bars until his trial in mid-August.  Silcox's photo was affixed to a tree outside the leasing office following the tragedy In the meantime, residents at the apartment complex are struggling to come to grips with the tragedy. 'It's tragic. It's a shame. And... I don't understand why,' said Tracy Stevens, who has lived in the complex for seven years.  Many wondered on Tuesday whether they saw or heard something that could have changed the outcome, while others contemplated moving in the wake of the violence. Some shared that they knew the victims personally, with Roxane Habeck, who lived in the complex for 36 years, saying the three who were killed always made time to chat. 'They would be serving, always, "How you doing?" They were all like that,' she said outside a growing memorial to the victims. Celmira, 65, also told MPR how her first instinct was to call Zambrano and ask what was going on when she returned home on Monday from a shopping trip and saw the yellow police tape, not yet knowing Zambrano had been killed. 'Nansi was a very kind person. I miss her a lot. She's in my heart. She interpreted for us whenever we needed help with something related to the apartment,' she said in Spanish. She said she had also known Silcox for years and considered her a friend. 'I can't believe they are dead. I can't believe they are no longer with us.'   Silcox's father also described how she had worked for the property management company for 10 years and was loved by her coworkers. 'She was able to manage with people she had problems with, but evidently not this one,' Bob Silcox said. 'This is senseless.' An online fundraiser has been set up to support Silcox's children Katie Hopffner also lamented Silcox's death in a post on social media, calling it a 'sad week in the property management industry. 'Dena Silcox was one of the first people I met when I started working on-site in property management,' she recounted. 'I remember how nervous I was for my first on-site management job and she immediately made me feel welcomed. 'I remember her as kind and [treating] everyone with respect and care.' 'No one should ever have to go to work fearing they won't make it hme,' Hopfner continued. 'It's heartbreaking that people who spend their days providing homes to others can become victims of senseless violence. 'The lives of these three human beings were worth more than any dispute over any payment,' she concluded, saying she was 'holding Dena, the other victims, their families, friends and coworkers close in my thoughts.' An online fundraiser has now been set up to support Silcox's children.  It describes how the slain 56-year-old's 'vibrant spirit brought joy to everyone who knew her and her sudden and violent passing has left us all in shock. 'Dena's children, who meant the world to her, are facing this unimaginable time with bravery and love,' the GoFundMe reads. 'It's essential they have the financial freedom to grieve without the added burden of overwhelming expenses.' As of Wednesday evening, it had raised over $11,500. Meanwhile, a separate online fundraiser was set up to help with Zambrano's funeral expenses and support her family. 'We are at a loss for words,' it reads. 'Nansi was not just a sister to her siblings; she was like a mother, always giving her love and care beyond measure. She always he best in people and gave with all her heart. 'Her warm heart touched everyone around her - her boyfriend, her friends and all of her family members. 'Her kindness also reached the community where she lived and worked,' the fundraiser continued. 'At a very young age, she achieved many of her goals, including fulfilling one of her mother's biggest dreams: providing her with a home. 'Nansi was a big dreamer who worked tirelessly to accomplish her dreams,' the fundraiser said. 'She had many more goals that her family will continue to pursue in her honor. 'We will never forget the love she shared with everyone, nor her precious, beautiful smile and contagious laughter.' It had raised more than $6,200 as of Wednesday.