Charges: 19 year-old man kills son's mother, shoots at her father

Ramsey County authorities have charged a 19-year-old man for shooting his baby's mother in the head as they drove back from dinner on Wednesday.

Prosecutors say Timothy Scott Hendricks, of St. Paul, shot Michelle Marie Ploetz, 20, as she sat in the backseat of a car next to their 8-month-old son.

In a statement released by Regions Hospital, Michelle Ploetz's parents said their daughter died Friday.

"Michelle was full of life and passions, including Korean drumming and dance, her son, and her many friends. Michelle was a very generous person. And in her spirit of generosity, she will be an organ donor, giving hope to others in need. We appreciate the prayers and support from friends and family."

Ploetz had just enrolled this spring in a business administration program at St. Catherine University, according to a spokesperson for the school.

Hendricks is charged with murder in the second degree and attempted murder for shooting at Ploetz's father John.

Ramsey County Attorney John Choi described the shooting as a "horrific tragedy."

"This 8-month-old boy is going to grow up without his mother," Choi said. "And the father is facing serious charges, and likely will be in prison for a very long time."

Hendricks was charged in January for pulling a rifle on his 13-year-old nephew following a dispute. The judge in that case found him mentally competent to stand trial, Choi said.

On Friday, Hendricks broke his pelvis and jaw after he jumped off a balcony at the Ramsey County Jail, Choi said. Despite his injury, Hendricks' first appearance is scheduled for April 25.

According to the criminal complaint:

John Ploetz had come along with his daughter on the visitation with the baby because they were worried about what Hendricks might do. They'd just finished having dinner at The Little Oven restaurant on Minnehaha Avenue. John Ploetz was driving the car. Michelle Ploetz and Hendricks were in the backseat with the baby between them.

Ploetz told investigators that they were on White Bear Avenue in St. Paul when he heard a "pop" come from the backseat, followed by another "pop" as something flew past his head and broke the windshield. He tried to get the gun but Hendricks shot at him twice more. John Ploetz fled and Hendricks chased him with the gun before running off in another direction. Police later arrested Hendricks at Regions Hospital.

Hendricks told police that he heard voices and blacked out before he shot Michelle Ploetz. He said he didn't remember shooting at her father.

A woman who had let Hendricks sleep on her couch for a week before the shooting told police that he had talked about killing Michelle Ploetz, but that she hadn't taken the threats seriously.

Ploetz told investigators that he'd tried to get Hendricks committed three times before out of fear that he'd kill someone in their family. He told police that he's worried that Hendricks will target the family if he's ever released from jail: "It's not over, and it's not going to be over" until Hendricks is dead.