Jose Luis Lopez Xique convicted of murder in Minnesota

A Minnesota jury has convicted 27-year-old Jose Luis Lopez Xique of first-degree premeditated murder, second-degree intentional murder, and harassment using a dangerous weapon. The conviction stems from the 2025 death of 22-year-old Kayli Arseth, who was shot in the head.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty described the incident as a ‘rejection killing,’ noting that Lopez Xique killed Arseth after she expressed that she was only interested in a friendship and was not ready for a romantic relationship. Investigations revealed that while the pair had been in constant communication and met online, Arseth had explicitly told Lopez Xique she did not feel a romantic attraction to him.

Due to the first-degree murder conviction, Lopez Xique faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. His formal sentencing hearing is scheduled for Thursday, October 15.