St. Paul man arrested in Canada after allegedly killing woman, dropping their 5 kids at grandma’s

A man has been captured in Canada after fatally shooting the mother of his five children in her St. Paul home, then dropping the kids at their grandmother’s home in Michigan, according to a criminal complaint and police.

Wesley B. Koboi, 33, of St. Paul, was charged in Ramsey County District Court with two counts of second-degree murder in connection with the shooting of Shaniya Destinae Thompson, 29.

Police said they found Thompson dead Friday in an apartment in the 500 block of Broadway Street. They said they believe she was shot in the head on Thursday. Officers recovered a gun at the scene.

Koboi was arrested Tuesday at the Toronto Pearson Airport by the city’s police, said St. Paul police spokeswoman Alyssa Arcand.

Shayna Jason wrote in an online fundraising campaign that “my sister ... was tragically and senselessly taken from us after being shot by her children’s father. Shaniya was more than a sister — she was a devoted mother of five beautiful children whose lives have been forever changed. These children witnessed the unthinkable, and now they are left not only grieving their mother but also facing trauma that no child should ever endure."

Jason went on to say that the children “will need counseling, care, and support as they try to heal. With Christmas so close, we are heartbroken knowing they may go without during what should be a time of love and comfort.”

According to the charges:

Thompson’s father told police that Koboi came over for a birthday party for one of the children. He told the children to go to their bedrooms. Moments later, the children heard a scream and a loud thud.

Koboi rounded up the children and drove them to his mother’s in Grand Rapids, Mich. His mother reported to police that Koboi and the children arrived between 8:30 and 9 a.m. Friday. He said they were there to celebrate Christmas but otherwise didn’t say much about the reason for the surprise visit.

After about an hour, Koboi left in his brother’s vehicle without saying where he was going. His mother called Koboi several times but could not get him to answer.

Police investigators learned “through federal law enforcement partners” that Koboi drove about 180 miles to the east and crossed on foot into Canada at the Sarnia Blue Water Bridge shortly before 11 a.m. Friday.

“Koboi has booked a flight from Canada to Mexico,” the charges noted.