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Solvejg Wastvedt

Tougher charges filed against suspect in shooting of Minneapolis woman

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Joshua Chiazor Ezeka was charged in the shooting death of Birdell Beeks.
Joshua Chiazor Ezeka was charged in the shooting death of Birdell Beeks.
Hennepin County Jail

Authorities have upped charges against the suspect in last spring's alleged gang-related shooting of a grandmother in Minneapolis.

Joshua Ezeka of Minneapolis was charged with second degree murder in January, but on March 9 a grand jury indicted him for first-degree premeditated murder. Ezeka was allegedly shooting at a gang rival last May when he fatally hit 58-year-old Birdell Beeks.

In a statement, Hennepin county attorney Mike Freeman called Beeks "a pillar of the neighborhood," and said "Young Mr. Ezeka was informed by a friend that an opposing gang member was in his neighborhood. He had to grab his gun, run outside and down the street before he could start shooting. That is premeditation."

Ezeka's next court appearance is scheduled for April 18.