APPLE VALLEY, MN – A quiet Minnesota neighborhood is reeling after a young mother, remembered for her warmth and devotion to her children, was shot and killed inside her own home on Christmas Eve. Authorities say Tatianna Ehnes-Giles, 26, was found dead in a tragic incident that has left her family and the local community shaken.
Police were called to the scene just after 2 p.m. on December 24 after Ehnes-Giles’ mother made a frantic 911 call. According to investigators, the mother, who lived in the same residence, discovered her daughter gravely wounded alongside her daughter’s boyfriend, Demarco Jones, who had reportedly turned the gun on himself after the shooting.
Ehnes-Giles’ two young children were inside the house during the violence, authorities said. In the minutes following the gunfire, one of the children ran to their grandmother in terror, alarmed by the sound of the shots. The children are reported to have told their grandmother that “Daddy fell,” underscoring the harrowing nature of what they witnessed.
Family members described entering the bedroom to find Ehnes-Giles unresponsive, her hands raised in a gesture of defense. Her mother recounted that her daughter was lying amid blood, suggesting an attempt to shield herself from the attack. The scene offered a stark and heartbreaking view of the final moments of Ehnes-Giles’ life.
Investigators say Jones, 29, was still conscious when deputies arrived. He reportedly told authorities that the weapon involved was in the room and made statements indicating he had shot Ehnes-Giles. Authorities later recovered the firearm and two spent shell casings from the bedroom.
Ehnes-Giles’ brother was also present in the home at the time. He told police that Jones admitted to having shot himself and claimed suspicion over Ehnes-Giles’ fidelity. Prosecutors allege that Jones shot her intentionally before attempting to take his own life.
Jones is currently hospitalized, recovering from his injuries. He faces charges of second-degree intentional murder and will be transferred to Dakota County Jail once medical staff determine he is fit for incarceration. A bond of $2 million has been set, and his court appearance is scheduled for January 5.
Loved ones of Ehnes-Giles have been left stunned, remembering her as a caring mother who placed her children above all else. Support services have been made available to the family, particularly to comfort the young children now coping with the loss of their mother and the trauma of the violence they experienced.
Authorities have reiterated that the investigation remains active as they work to untangle the moments leading up to the shooting. In the aftermath, neighbors and community members have offered condolences and support to the children and their grieving family.