Man Charged in Gang Crossfire that Killed Grandmother

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A Minneapolis man is charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of a grandmother struck by bullets intended for a gang member in May.

Twenty-year-old Joshua Ezeka appeared in Hennepin County court Tuesday in the death of 58-year-old Birdell Beeks. Beeks was killed May 26 as she was driving with her 16-year-old granddaughter in north Minneapolis.

According to the complaint, Ezeka was told a rival gang member was nearby and started shooting toward that gang member's car. Some bullets struck the rival gang member's car and others struck Beeks' car.

Witnesses told police that Ezeka fled in a car after firing the shots.

Beeks' death prompted public outrage over violent crime. Bail for Ezeka was set at $1.5 million, and his next court hearing is set for Feb. 14.