Minnesota Father Accused of Killing Girlfriend During Daughter’s Birthday Party, Then Dumping Children With Grandma Before Fleeing to Canada
MINNESOTA — A St. Paul man is accused of shooting his girlfriend to death during their child’s birthday celebration, then driving her children across state lines before fleeing the country, according to police and court records.
Wesley Koboi, 33, has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of 29-year-old Shaniya Thompson, who was found dead inside her St. Paul apartment with a gunshot wound to the head.
Woman Found Dead Inside Apartment
St. Paul police responded around 4:15 p.m. Friday to an apartment complex in the 500 block of Broadway Street after receiving a report that a woman had been shot.
Officers entered the apartment and found Thompson deceased, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. A firearm was also located inside the residence.
Investigators later determined Thompson was likely shot the previous day, while children were present in the home.
Children Describe Argument and Gun Being Pulled
According to a probable cause arrest affidavit, detectives spoke with Thompson and Koboi’s children after locating them in Michigan.
One child told investigators that an argument broke out during a birthday party, and Koboi allegedly pulled out a short firearm and placed it against Thompson’s head.
Police say the suspect then ordered the children into a bedroom, after which they heard a loud “thud.”
Another child told police their father kept saying “it was an accident” and admitted he had a gun.
Suspect Allegedly Drove Children Across State Lines
After the shooting, Koboi allegedly forced the children to leave the apartment, driving them more than eight hours to a relative’s home in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where they were left with their grandmother.
Police say Koboi then drove to Port Huron, crossed the Blue Water Bridge into Canada, and attempted to flee the country.
Authorities later confirmed he had booked a flight to Mexico.
Arrested in Canada After International Manhunt
Local NBC affiliate KARE reported that Koboi was arrested Tuesday in Toronto, ending a multi-day international search.
He remains in custody pending extradition back to Minnesota.
Family Says He Arrived With Gifts
Thompson’s sister, Shayna Jason, described the killing as a horrifying betrayal in a GoFundMe post created to support the children.
“He came into her home bearing gifts for my young niece’s birthday — all the while planning to shoot and kill my sister,” Jason wrote.
She said the children heard gunshots and a scream, witnessing trauma that will stay with them for life.
Mother of Five Remembered
Jason described Thompson as a devoted mother of five whose children are now grieving while coping with severe emotional trauma.
“These children witnessed the unthinkable,” she wrote.
“They will need counseling, care, and support as they try to heal.”
With the holidays approaching, the family said the loss is compounded by uncertainty and heartbreak.
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