Minnesota Man Convicted of Murder After Shooting Woman in Eye for Rejecting Him

Jose Luis Lopez Xique, 27, was found guilty of first-degree premeditated murder for killing Kayli Arseth, 22, one day after she turned down his romantic advances.

Minnesota Man Found Guilty of 'Rejection Killing' After Fatally Shooting 22-Year-Old

A Hennepin County jury has convicted Jose Luis Lopez Xique, 27, of first-degree premeditated murder for shooting Kayli Arseth through her right eye at her Richfield, Minnesota apartment in June 2025 — one day after she told him she was not ready for a relationship, Law & Crime reports.

The conviction carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, according to the Hennepin County Attorney's Office. Lopez Xique was also found guilty of second-degree intentional murder and harassment using a dangerous weapon. Sentencing is scheduled for October 15.

A relationship that was never romantic

Lopez Xique and Arseth met online. According to the criminal complaint, he began accompanying her on shopping trips and grew closer to her, but Arseth maintained the relationship was not romantic or sexual. On Snapchat, the two held "best friend" badges and an active streak — which had just ended before her death.

In the days before the shooting, Lopez Xique pressed Arseth for "actual dates" and a romantic relationship. She replied that she was only interested in friendship and felt no romantic attraction toward him.

Lopez Xique told Arseth he wanted to see "more effort" from her. She responded by asking if he was free on June 16 to help her work on a motorcycle she was restoring. He offered to pick her up after work that evening; she said she would let him know.

A final message, then silence

At 2:55 p.m. on June 16, Arseth sent Lopez Xique a message on Snapchat. "I did enjoy hanging out with you," she wrote, "but I don't have enough mental capacity for any type of relationship right now. I'm trying to figure out myself as well as manage my relationship with my parents and I'm overwhelmed and stressed already."

Lopez Xique replied that he was confused and insisted he simply wanted to be there for her. Arseth told him again that she just wasn't ready for a relationship. He wrote back that he could "tone it back" and that they could keep texting.

Location data from Lopez Xique's phone placed him at Arseth's apartment building beginning at 3:38 p.m. — less than 45 minutes after her final message. His phone remained at the address until 4:49 p.m. A neighbor told police she heard arguing inside the apartment and recalled a male voice screaming, "How could you do this to me?" before the noise stopped at around 4:47 p.m.

Phone records show Lopez Xique went to a hardware store after leaving the scene.

Authorities found Arseth face down in a pool of blood

After Arseth couldn't be reached, officers obtained a key from apartment management and entered the unit. The criminal complaint describes what they found: Arseth was face down on her living room floor in a pool of blood, with a gunshot wound to her head. She had been shot at close range through her right eye.

'She should still be with her family'

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty characterized the killing as a textbook "rejection killing" in a statement announcing the verdict. "Mr. Lopez Xique refused to accept that Kayli did not want a relationship," Moriarty said. "Kayli loved music, art, and her family and friends. She was restoring her motorcycle while working as a behavioral technician for children with special needs. She should still be with her family and her loved ones."

Arseth's obituary described her as "very bright, sassy, funny, and caring" and noted that she loved working with children.

Source: Law & Crime