StarTribune.com
homi030608

Home | Local + Metro

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.

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

Recent Local + Metro stories

Lawsuit to block foreclosures in state dismissed - March 6, 2008
Lawsuit to block foreclosures in state dismissed - A federal judge has dismissed a class-action lawsuit filed by a group of homeowners who sought to block foreclosures in Minnesota, but their attorney said the case led to significant progress anyway. More

Comment on this story   |   Be the first to comment   |  Hide reader comments

Subscribe
Shopping + Classifieds
Career Newsletter

Free Jobs E-mail Newsletter

Resources to help further your career. Sign up now.
Homes

Find Your Next Home

Search realtor represented & for sale by owner homes in the Twin Cities. Plus, find open house listings.

Win tickets to see The Vic Chesnutt Band at Cedar Cultural Center.

Vita.mn presents The Vic Chesnutt Band at Cedar Cultural Center on Nov. 19.

See all contests