ID'd: Woman lured out of Brooklyn Park salon and shot dead

Authorities have identified the woman who was lured out of a Brooklyn Park hair salon and shot dead allegedly by a longtime felon.

Verneice D. Abrams, 42, of Watertown, suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the abdomen on Aug. 21 outside Hair Studio 763 in the 5800 block of Brookdale Drive N., according to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office.

James A. Hill, 31, of Minneapolis, was arrested and charged in Hennepin County District Court with second-degree murder with intent in connection with the killing, while Deshawn Slaughter, 31, also of Minneapolis, was arrested charged with aiding an offender to avoid arrest.

Both remained jailed ahead of court dates later this month.

Hill's criminal history in Minnesota includes convictions dating back to more than 12 years: once for first-degree robbery, three times for assault and twice for drunken driving.

Hill was arrested and told police that he had watched the woman for about 15 minutes before following her into the salon, according to the criminal complaint. He confessed to shooting the woman and taking her purse, and also identified the getaway driver. Police also found a purse, 9-millimeter handgun and a credit card in Abrams' name.

The charges did not specify how Hill knew the woman or why he targeted her.

Star Tribune staff writer Chao Xiong contributed to this report.

Paul Walsh