HASTINGS, MN – What began as a quiet Christmas Eve afternoon in a Twin Cities suburb turned tragic inside a family’s home, leaving a young mother dead and her partner hospitalized, authorities said.
According to investigators, Demarco Jones, 29, is accused of fatally shooting 26-year-old Tatianna Ehnes-Giles—the mother of his two young children—before attempting to end his own life. The incident unfolded just after 2 p.m. on December 24, drawing Dakotas County Sheriff’s deputies to the house after a desperate call for help.
The grim discovery was made by Ehnes-Giles’ mother, who lived in the residence. She told authorities that she heard a loud noise and was quickly alerted by her grandchildren, who rushed to her, appearing frightened and confused. The children’s grandmother entered the bedroom to find Jones and her daughter on the floor, Jones groaning and stating he had been shot.
Deputies arriving at the scene found Egnes-Giles unresponsive. Jones, despite his injuries, was able to tell law enforcement that the firearm was still nearby. Both the weapon and two spent casings were recovered at the scene, officials said.
Statements gathered by investigators painted a picture of chaos and heartbreak. One of the children had approached their grandmother, frightened by the commotion, while Jones’s own words shifted as deputies spoke with him—first claiming to have been shot, then ultimately admitting responsibility for the shooting, according to the criminal complaint.
Family members were present during the aftermath, including Ehnes-Giles’ brother, who later told police that Jones accused his partner of infidelity and indicated that it led to the shooting. The loss has devastated loved ones, with particular concern for the well-being of the couple’s children, who were home when the violence erupted.
Jones is currently under guard at a Minnesota hospital, facing a charge of second-degree intentional murder. Once he is medically stable, authorities say, he will be transferred to the Dakota County Jail. Bail has been set at $2 million.
A court appearance is scheduled for January 5. It remains unclear if Jones has retained legal counsel or entered a plea.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about domestic violence and its irreversible impact on families and communities. Law enforcement officials have not released additional details regarding the events that led up to the fatal shooting, citing the continuing investigation.
With the holidays overshadowed by sorrow, relatives and advocates are left to grapple with the tragedy, while officials continue to urge anyone struggling in unsafe situations to seek support and utilize available resources.