The Office of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced on May 1 that it has completed the final prosecution related to the November 2022 murder of Zaria McKeever, following the sentencing of Valesha Parker. Parker received a sentence of 364 days in jail with a stayed prison sentence of 50 months for five years after admitting to lying to law enforcement and assisting her son, Erick Haynes, who orchestrated the killing.
This case has drawn attention due to its violent nature and impact on the community. The prosecution aimed to bring accountability for those involved in McKeever’s death, which occurred when she was shot five times by juveniles sent by Haynes into a Brooklyn Park home. The incident also involved other adults who aided after the homicide.
According to information released by Ellison’s office, Parker pleaded guilty to aiding an offender on March 25. She is the last of five adult defendants sentenced in connection with this crime. Her son, Erick Haynes, was identified as having directed two juveniles—including Foday Kamara—to carry out an attack intended for McKeever’s new boyfriend; instead, they killed McKeever at close range while her young daughter lost her mother.
Attorney General Keith Ellison said: “Nothing and no one can return Zaria McKeever to her family, her young daughter, and our community. I think about her and her loved ones often and I hope this final sentencing provides them and the whole community with a sense of accountability.” He continued: “I want to thank the family for their partnership in holding accountable the people responsible for Zaria’s murder, and I want to thank the entire team in my office who diligently pursued justice for her. We all continue to feel the loss of Zaria and will always remember her.”
Ellison also thanked both Brooklyn Park Police Department—who led the investigation—and Minneapolis Police Department—who assisted immediately after—for their roles in bringing about these prosecutions.
With this sentencing concluded, all adult defendants connected with Ms. McKeever’s death have now been held accountable through legal proceedings.
