Charges: Erick Haynes had been harassing ex-girlfriend Zaria McKeever days before her murder
BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. -- A man is facing charges Thursday for his involvement in the death of the mother of his 1-year-old child earlier this week in Brooklyn Park.
Erick Dewaun Haynes, 23, is one of three people charged in connection to the death of 23-year-old Zaria McKeever. He faces two counts of second-degree murder.
In a post-Miranda statement, police say Haynes admitted he was mad at McKeever over their relationship ending and her new boyfriend.
Tiffynnie Epps is McKeever's sister.
"Pure evil and jealous. That's what led to it," Epps said. "She was bettering her life and she knew that he was the downfall and he was, you know, part of the reason why things were going the way they were for her."
Police say McKeever had told her boyfriend Monday that Haynes had been following her and had seen someone she knew to be friends with Haynes around the apartment complex. McKeever's boyfriend told investigators that Haynes had been threatening and harassing her for weeks.
Video footage from the apartment complex allegedly shows a vehicle associated with Haynes at the complex several times in the days prior to the shooting.
Haynes told police he and two boys went to the apartment with the intention of beating up McKeever's new boyfriend. Haynes allegedly waited in the car while two others went to the apartment armed with a gun that Haynes bought to kick in the apartment door and confront the people inside.
The complaint says McKeever's boyfriend was in the bathroom when the front door was kicked in. He heard his girlfriend arguing with someone before he jumped from a second-story window, left the area, and found someone to call 911.
Police say video footage shows two boys fleeing from the apartment complex shortly after the shooting. Haynes allegedly drove the men away from the scene.
"So you found someone that's dumber than you and you had them do this. Now all you guys' lives are ruined. You guys ruined our lives, took her away from us and her daughter. Like, it's just crazy. All for what?" Epps said.
It's unclear why her sister was the one killed, but Epps has a theory.
"Knowing her, she thought she could defuse the situation because she knew the guys. They were her baby dad's friends," Epps said.
She is hoping her sister's story saves someone else.
"If you see signs, if you notice things, if you get vibes about people … start calling police and making reports and protect yourself by any means like, because you never know what could happen," Epps said.
The two juveniles involved also face second-degree murder charges.
Haynes' bail is set at $1 million. His first court appearance is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 14.
Local Domestic Violence Resources
Women's Advocates
wadvocates.org
Crisis Line: (651) 227-8284
St. Paul & Ramsey County Domestic Abuse Intervention Project
stpaulintervention.org
Crisis Line: (651) 645-2824
Minnesota Day One
dayoneservices.org
Crisis Line: 1-866-223-1111
Esperanza United
esperanzaunited.org
Bilingual crisis line: (651) 772-1611.
For anonymous, confidential help, people can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224.
