Rage over thefts led to slaying of woman in home, charges say

A 28-year-old man angry over a friend's stolen electronics fired shots into a south Minneapolis home, killing a woman, according to second-degree murder charges filed Wednesday.

By ABBY SIMONS, Star Tribune

Last update: March 6, 2008 - 12:15 AM

A 28-year-old man angry over a friend's stolen electronics fired shots into a south Minneapolis home, killing a woman, according to second-degree murder charges filed Wednesday.

Nidjia D. Nicks, 28, was charged with the death of Johanna Hollis, 40, who was killed Sunday after shots were fired through a door and window of her home on the 2800 block of 17th Av. S. She was the third person to die in a bloody weekend in Minneapolis, which also left two teenagers dead.

Hollis, who was pronounced dead in her home, was shot as she was trying to push several small children from the living room as the shots were fired. Nicks was arrested later that morning.

Authorities say trouble began for Hollis when a computer and cell phone belonging to Nicks' friend were stolen by Hollis' daughter from the Extended Stay Hotel in Brooklyn Center, where Nicks was staying with two other people. The items later ended up in Hollis' home.

Nicks learned of the theft and called Hollis, who answered the stolen phone. He identified himself as "Shorty," telling her that no one was going to "leave the house alive," according to the complaint.

An investigation revealed that Nicks was seen running from the shooting scene by Hollis' son, who positively identified him to police, and that Nicks' hotel room phone corroborated the calls allegedly made to Hollis. He was arrested in the same hotel room from which the items had been stolen. Nicks remains in the Hennepin County jail in lieu of $500,000 bail.

Nicks, who has felony narcotics and weapons possession convictions, also was charged with a felony count of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. A search of his vehicle also yielded 38.9 grams of cocaine.

Abby Simons • 612-673-4921