FRIDLEY, Minn. — Editor's Note: The above video first aired Dec. 22, 2023.
A teen says he fatally shot his ex-girlfriend while parked outside her home last week in Fridley, according to court documents.
The 17-year-old was charged by juvenile petition with second-degree murder after admitting to pulling out a gun, which was later determined to be stolen, and shooting her after getting into an argument. Prosecutors say he also admitted to driving away while she was lying in the street just outside the driveway of her home.
The shooting occurred Thursday, Dec. 21 on the 4500 block of 3rd St. NE. Police were called just before 4 p.m. on reports of a pedestrian hit-and-run crash. Once there, police discovered the victim, later identified as 18-year-old Jayden Lee Kline, with a gunshot wound.
Police spoke with Kline's family, who said she was out with her ex-boyfriend earlier in the afternoon. Kline's brother said he heard a loud noise come from outside just before 4 p.m. When he looked outside, he saw his sister lying in the street, prosecutors say. He told police he initially believed she had been struck by a vehicle.
Neighbors also confirmed hearing the loud noise. One neighbor was able to provide surveillance video that captured a van matching the description of the one being driven by the suspect. The video showed the front passenger door open, a female fall from the van and the van speed off. The charges say a gunshot rang out before the woman fell from the van.
According to court documents, Kline and the teen had been dating "on and off" for about a year. Kline's brother was able to track her location through an app on his phone, placing her at the Rosedale Mall about 30 minutes prior to the shooting. Kline's brother confirmed that the van in the video belonged to the suspect. Police were able to get the suspect's phone number and were able to track him in Burnsville, where he was later arrested. The suspect had a gun in his center console, according to the charges, and later admitted that it was the gun he used to shoot Kline.
If you are in need of help or services, please call Tubman's 24-hour crisis & resource line at 612-825-0000.
Help is also available by calling 800-799-7233 or texting START to 88788 to be connected with someone from the National Domestic Violence Hotline. The hotline includes more options for support and identifiers of abuse on its website.
For Minnesota residents, Cornerstone MN also offers resources and safe housing for domestic abuse survivors and crime victims. Call 1-866-223-1111 or chat online with the crisis hotline.
If it is an emergency, call 911.
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