Man killed for his car, criminal complaint says
A UW-Milwaukee student found dead in a shallow grave in Watertown over the weekend was killed for his car, according to court records filed today.
Haroon Khan, 31, drove a silver 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, known as an "Evo“, a fast, sleek car coveted by his apparent killer, 20-year-old Travis W. Zoellick, who committed suicide before authorities could arrest him.
Before he died, Zoellick confessed to abducting Khan for his car, which he drove to Watertown and kept in a storage facility. Zoellick told friends that he stabbed Khan to death before burying him face down in a shallow grave on property owned by Zoellick’s family.
This afternoon, Zachary S. Zaborek, 19, of Watertown was charged with aiding a felon. A woman also is expected to be charged in the case today.
According to the criminal complaint against Zaborek, Zoellick told Zaborek, his best friend, that he planned to travel to Chicago to rob someone selling an Evo and use a gun and zip ties. Zoellick asked Zaborek for help in carrying out his plan, but Zaborek said he would not go along with it. Zoellick later called Zaborek and said he didn’t rob anyone in the Chicago area.
Then last Wednesday, Zoellick called Zaborek to tell him he had gotten an Evo and told him it was really fast, the complaint says.
Zoellick also confessed to Zaborek that he pulled a gun on Khan, bound him with zip ties and covered his eyes with duct tape, the complaint says. Khan was driven to Watertown, where he was stabbed repeatedly and buried.
Oct 7, 2008 at 12:11 p.m.
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I know the Zoellick family. I am so angry because his mother would always say what a responsible nice kid Travis was. She even allowed him to babysit special needs children. He was not a nice kid. Take a look at his police record. He was convicted of battery. He was also charged with 2nd degree sexual assault of a child, but that case was dismissed. She new her son had problems, yet she allowed him to care for special needs children. I don't feel bad for the Zoellick family. I feel bad for the Kahn family.
Oct 7, 2008 at 11:42 a.m.
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Well written, Purrmaid.
Oct 7, 2008 at 11:28 a.m.
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Thug mentality: "If you're not strong enough to keep it, it's mine."
No self-control, no sense of responsibility, no patience to work and earn what you want. Just selfishly take it from someone else. Grrrrrrr.
Oct 7, 2008 at 9:38 a.m.
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It is apparent, in this society of ours, that anyone at any time can be targeted by the self absorbed, amoral among us for whatever whim overtakes them. Our popular culture preaches immediate self gratification from the T.V.'s in our living room, from the radios in our cars and from the Internet on our computers. That constant drumbeat has its ill effects mostly on the impressionable youth, particularly those with parents who have also succumbed to that philosophy. Fortunately, most don't go to this extreme. It's difficult to tell which will. The worst could be tempted to kill for an old Yugo, or something even less valuable.
Oct 7, 2008 at 12:12 a.m.
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Stupid, stupid, stupid. My condolences to both families as I am sure both are in pain.
Oct 6, 2008 at 11:27 p.m.
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Well at least I probably won't have to worry about anyone killing me for my Smart Car as long as the price of oil doesn't get too out of hand before we find alternative sources of energy...
Oct 6, 2008 at 9:09 p.m.
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To me, remorse would have included turning himself in, apologizing to the Khan family, and serving his time in a federal prison. My opinion is that suicide was used, simply, as cowardice. I'm not claiming to know for sure...these are just my opinions. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Khan and Zoellick families.
Oct 6, 2008 at 9:08 p.m.
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I don't know anything more than what's in the story here, but it sounds like a manic-depressive. I was always skeptical of "those kinds" of diagnoses until I saw it with my own eyes a couple years ago.
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My thoughts are with both families. What a horrible tragedy.
Oct 6, 2008 at 8:29 p.m.
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remorse? He killed himself!
Oct 6, 2008 at 6:32 p.m.
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OMG! This is awful! What would make someone think they could actually do that? What sort of person can be so void of conscience that they can pull this off without any remorse? Sick!
Oct 6, 2008 at 6:27 p.m.
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This is sick! Just sick! What is our society and youth coming to??? Sheesh!
Oct 6, 2008 at 5:03 p.m.
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For a car....This kid was definitely mentally disturbed.
Oct 6, 2008 at 5 p.m.
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What is wrong with people?! My condolences to the Khan family.
Oct 6, 2008 at 4:30 p.m.
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How horrible!
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