A man charged with the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old girl in Brooklyn Park has been arrested near Cleveland, officials said.
Melchizedek Kpaan, 25, of Maple Grove, was arrested midday Friday in North Ridgeville, Ohio, in connection with the killing of Zoe Kpanlin. Kpanlin was killed July 1 at a home in the 7000 block of Lakeland Avenue N., according to Brooklyn Park police.
The criminal complaint against Kpaan alleging second-degree murder was filed Thursday in Hennepin County District Court but was ordered sealed to prevent Kpaan from knowing he was charged while still on the run.
His arrest is expected to lead to the complaint being made public soon. It should include the circumstances of the killing and possibly point to a motive.
Brooklyn Park police said in a statement that “extensive investigation” led to Kpaan’s arrest with the assistance of the Ohio State Patrol. He was booked into the Lorain County jail and has yet to be transferred to Hennepin County’s jail as of mid-afternoon Tuesday.
Kpaan’s criminal history in Minnesota includes illegal gun possession charges stemming from his arrest after briefly fleeing police in Crystal. A trial in that case is scheduled for Aug. 18. He’s also been convicted in Minnesota twice for illegal drug possession and first-degree robbery.
