Josephine Powers dies in fatal Burnsville shooting
Fatal Burnsville shooting death of Josephine Powers – Obituary
In a tragic event, 25-year-old Josephine Powers faces charges for allegedly shooting and killing 70-year-old Michael Riccio.
Authorities report that Powers is accused of shooting Riccio in the head, and her alleged accomplice is accused of tampering with the crime scene and concealing the body.
According to a press release from the Dakota County attorney’s office dated Wednesday, July 24, local witnesses in Burnsville, Minnesota, claimed that Powers shot Riccio. Initially, Powers had reported the shooting herself on July 18, alleging that a man referred to as “Witness 4” had committed the act while her father was on vacation.
However, investigators now contend that Powers and Riccio had an argument leading up to the shooting.
Witnesses stated that Powers became agitated, threw objects, and eventually shot Riccio. A criminal complaint revealed that she subsequently panicked and sought help to clean up the scene.
A few days following the incident, Powers and an unnamed individual, referred to in court documents as “Mike,” enlisted Christopher Hawkins to help move a package from her residence in exchange for the use of a pickup truck.
Upon arrival at Powers’ home, Hawkins reportedly observed blood and what appeared to be a body wrapped in garbage bags and rugs. Powers reportedly confessed to Hawkins about the shooting, stating she could not tolerate the situation any longer and shot Riccio with a gun given to her by a friend.
Hawkins then allegedly transported the body to a shed in Minneapolis. When Powers’ father returned home, he noticed what he believed to be brown paint on the walls and saw a man in a hazmat suit cleaning up the area and removing carpet.
Powers’ father also detected strong odors of bleach and ammonia in the house, and later learned the details of the incident from one of Powers’ friends.
Police eventually located Hawkins’ shed, where they discovered Riccio’s remains in a gray plastic container. An autopsy confirmed that Riccio’s death was caused by a gunshot wound to the head, and his death was ruled a homicide.
Hawkins is currently incarcerated at the Hennepin County Jail on separate charges. Powers has been charged with second-degree intentional murder, with bail set at $1 million. She is scheduled to appear in court on August 1.
Fatal Burnsville shooting death of Josephine Powers – Obituary In a tragic event, 25-year-old Josephine Powers faces charges for allegedly shooting and killing 70-year-old Michael Riccio. Authorities report that Powers is accused of shooting Riccio in the head, and her alleged accomplice is accused of tampering with the crime scene and concealing the body. According…
Fatal Burnsville shooting death of Josephine Powers – Obituary In a tragic event, 25-year-old Josephine Powers faces charges for allegedly shooting and killing 70-year-old Michael Riccio. Authorities report that Powers is accused of shooting Riccio in the head, and her alleged accomplice is accused of tampering with the crime scene and concealing the body. According…