A 22-year-old Minnesota woman was shot and killed in her apartment after reportedly telling a man she met online that she wasn’t interested in a romantic relationship, according to authorities.
Kayli Grace Arseth, of Richfield, Minnesota, was found dead on June 17. Prosecutors have charged 27-year-old Jose Luis Lopez Xique with second-degree intentional murder in connection with her death.
According to court documents, Arseth and Lopez Xique had met online and spent time together, but Arseth had clearly communicated she was only interested in being friends. In a Snapchat message sent the day of her death, Arseth wrote:
“I did enjoy hanging out with you, but I don’t have enough mental capacity for any type of relationship right now.”
Police say Lopez Xique’s phone was tracked to Arseth’s apartment between 3:38 p.m. and 4:47 p.m. that same day. A neighbor later reported hearing a confrontation inside the apartment, including Arseth shouting, “How could you do this to me?” shortly before Lopez Xique allegedly left the scene.
Responding officers discovered Arseth shot multiple times inside her apartment. The scene was described as “gruesome,” with bloodstains throughout and smears on the outside of the door.
Investigators say Lopez Xique fled to Bloomington, Minnesota, where authorities recovered two trash bags containing ammunition, gloves, gauze, a hat, and shoes. Additional items such as rubber gloves, wipes, and masking tape were found in a trash can nearby.
He was arrested near his home in Shakopee on July 3. Police noted he had scratches and puncture wounds on his arms and showed little surprise when taken into custody. A Glock 9mm handgun was later recovered from his home.
Lopez Xique is currently being held at Hennepin County Jail on a $3 million bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for August 5.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty called the killing “a terrible instance of extreme, targeted violence,” and said her office “will prosecute Mr. Lopez Xique to protect our community and hold him accountable.”
Arseth’s family requested a welfare check after she missed work and stopped responding to messages and calls. They remember her as a passionate and dynamic young woman who worked as a behavioral technician helping children with autism.
An obituary described her as a snowboarder, swimmer, skater, track athlete, artist, and aspiring developmental psychology student. A GoFundMe page honoring her memory called her “bright, sassy, funny, and caring,” and someone who “loved hard and accepted everyone.”
Online Dating Safety Tips:
- Over 30% of U.S. adults have used a dating app or website
- About 1 in 10 users say they’ve felt threatened during an online encounter
- Women under 35 are most likely to report harassment or unwanted contact
- Experts advise:
• Always meet in public
• Share your plans with someone you trust
• Trust your instincts
• Understand that setting boundaries does not always prevent escalation
