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Murder charges filed in violent St. Paul crash

Prosecutors say what began as a domestic situation ended with a homicide when Shawn Konder, driving at a high rate of speed, hit a vehicle driven by 41-year-old Lashay Whittaker. Whitaaker's car split in two, and he suffered fatal injuries.
Shawn Konder is charged with third degree murder and criminal vehicular homicide, among other things, in an incident that claimed the life of an innocent motorist.

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Murder charges have been filed against a St. Paul man in connection with a violent crash that literally cut a car in half and killed the person behind the wheel.

The criminal complaint filed against 26-year-old Shawn Konder details the events that unfolded late the night of April 20. Prosecutors say what began as a domestic situation ended with a homicide when Konder, driving around at a high rate of speed, hit a vehicle driven by 41-year-old Lashay Whittaker. Whitaaker's car split in two, and he suffered fatal injuries.

Credit: KARE
The collision was so violent it literally cut the car of the victim in half. 

Squads were called to an apartment on the 800 block of Blair Avenue shortly before midnight after a woman called 911 to report that Konder and his girlfriend's 14-year-old son were fighting, and that he had tried to stab the boy with a sword and had threatened to kill the girlfriend. She said Konder had left the home drunk and was driving up and down the alley at a high rate of speed.

An officer arrived in the neighborhood and spotted Konder driving a white Dodge van driving with no lights on. When the officer turned on his emergency lights Konder fled down the alley at a speed that reached an estimated 80 miles per hour.

Another officer began a pursuit which ended moments later with a violent crash where the alley emptied out onto Victoria Street near Sherburne Avenue. Investigators say Konder's van struck a Nissan Maxima driven by Lashay Whittaker, cutting it in half before careening into a garage that then collapsed. Konder attempted to flee the scene but was caught and apprehended by police. He smelled strongly of alcohol, with bloodshot eyes and slurred speech.

Those who knew LaShay Whittaker say he could light up a room with his sense of humor and electric personality.  (Courtesy Facebook - The Whittaker family) 

Whittaker was extricated from his car and rushed to Regions Hospital, where he was declared dead. He was a long time barber who counted St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter's son among his customers. Friends say he had a sense of humor and energy that could fill an entire room.

While being transported to the hospital police say Konder laughed and referred to the incident as a cat and mouse game that he had lost. When questioned by detectives Konder said he remembered crashing but nothing else. He told them he was sorry for the victim and his family, and deserved whatever punishment was coming as he had destroyed their lives. He admitted to causing the crash and was not denying anything.

Shawn Konder is charged with third degree murder, criminal vehicular homicide and terroristic threats.

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