The tragic killing of Nicole Hammond: Woman shot dead outside workplace for rejecting co-worker’s advances
ST. CLOUD, MINNESOTA: A Minnesota woman has been fatally gunned down outside her workplace by a co-worker after she repeatedly rejected his relentless romantic advances.
Michael Jordan Carpenter, 36, has been charged with felony second-degree murder for allegedly shooting his co-worker 28-year-old Nicole Hammond in the parking lot of their workplace in Lincoln Avenue Northeast in St. Cloud. A police team was dispatched to the business parking lot after receiving an emergency call regarding the shooting. The officials say the shooting took place before 7:00 am on Monday, October 24.
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Upon their arrival at the scene, the officials found Hammond laying on the ground with a gunshot wound on her neck. The paramedics attempted lifesaving measures but Hammond was pronounced dead at the scene. According to the autopsy, obtained by the Kansas City Star, the suspect shot her on the right side of her neck but the bullet was found in the left shoulder area. A lone bullet shell was also recovered from the crime scene
The witnesses present at the scene told the investigators that the suspect shot Hammond as she exited her vehicle. Carpenter, 36, fled from the scene but was tracked down about three hours later hiding in a home near Sauk Rapids. Police have also seized a handgun in his possession. The gun was loaded with the same shells that were found near Hammond’s body. However, Carpenter has denied all the allegations. He told the officials that he was walking towards Hammond’s car when he heard the gunshot.
The alleged killer also claimed that he ran away from the scene because he was “too traumatized” after seeing blood around Hammond’s body. “He didn’t render aid, go to work, nor did he call 9-1-1,” police said. Slamming Carpenter’s claims, prosecutors said he was harassing his co-worker for a long time now. Hammond also allegedly asked Carpenter to "not make things uncomfortable at work,” the prosecutors said citing text messages recovered by the investigators. Co-workers of Hammond, who described Carpenter as “short-tempered,” revealed that Carpenter had made several unwanted advances over the past few months. But the harassment was never reported to their higher ups.
Carpenter during police interrogation admitted to arguing with Hammond the night before the barbaric shooting. He is currently being held at the Benton County Jail and has not been arraigned, according to online jail records. Lawyer information for Carpenter was not immediately available. If found guilty of the murder of his co-worker, Carpenter could face a possible 40-year prison sentence.
Remembering Hammond, her boss Rob Dubow said "Unfortunately, we had no idea. Any time there is anything that requires our intervention we step in. But in this case, we did not indicate that there was anything awry." One of her supervisors said she “beautiful, smart, determined young woman.” “You deserved to live your best life but instead got your life taken from you,” Savannah Shawn Townley shared on Facebook. “Our team is forever broken without you. Fly High Angel!”