ROCHESTER, Minn — Police say charges have been filed in the deaths of a woman, her two-year-old daughter, and an unborn child after the victims were discovered at an apartment complex in Rochester.
The victims are 23-year-old Keona Sade Foote, and 2-year-old Miyona Zayla Miller. Investigators say Foote was also pregnant. Police announced that Foote's ex-boyfriend, 29-year-old Renard Lydell Carter, is charged with three counts of 2nd degree murder in the deaths.
Police conducted a welfare check on Foote after her family called because they hadn't heard from her for a number of days. The woman and her daughter were both found dead inside the garden floor apartment at the Olmpik Village Apartments.
Authorities say it appears the victims died of trauma. The Southern Regional Medical Examiner's Office is performing an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.
Carter fled to Columbia, South Carolina, and was already wanted on an unrelated warrant. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott says the department received a phone call from police in Rochester Sunday, informing them that Carter had killed an ex-girlfriend there and was headed to South Carolina to possibly kill another ex. That woman was contacted by authorities and taken to a safe house for her own protection.
The suspect was eventually located at a hotel, and a standoff ensued between police and Carter, who refused to come out of his room. He told officers he had a gun, and eventually came out holding what turned out to be a BB gun. Three officers opened fire, wounding Carter.
He is currently hospitalized and under police watch.