DURHAM - The man charged with killing 18-year-old Skye Moniqua Lee late Sunday had previously been charged with beating her and was warned to stay away from her, police said today.

“It is a sad domestic violence situation,” Police Chief Jose Lopez said this morning at the Oxford Manor public housing complex, where Lee was found shot dead.

Cory Jiggetts, 19, of Fidelity Drive, is charged with killing Lee, the mother of his 10-month-old son. The infant was found unharmed at the scene, police said, and was placed in the care of Lee’s family. They could not be reached today.

On Dec. 19, Jiggetts was charged with beating Lee. An arrest warrant in that case reads in part: “He grabbed her by a foot across the floor, kicking her twice in the side while dragging her. One of her shoes came off and he threw it toward her face. When she came to her feet, he hit her in the face with his fist.”

As a condition of his release, Jiggetts was ordered not to have any contact with Lee.

In 2006, he was convicted of breaking and entering in Guilford County, according to N.C. Department of Correction records.

Lee, who was a senior at Northern High School., was found dead at 3628 Keystone Place, Apartment 8-B. The couple's 10-month-old baby was found unharmed inside the apartment. Police say the baby is being cared for by Lee's family.

Jiggetts, who withdrew from Northern High in February 2005, was charged with Lee's murder. Police arrested him as he tried to run out the back door of a home on Young Street, said Kammie Michael, a Durham police spokeswoman. Jiggetts was being held without bond at Durham County Jail.

A mobile crime-scene lab was at the scene on Keystone Place, which was marked off with yellow police tape. Few residents were outdoors on the rainy morning, and those who passed nearby did not want to talk to a reporter.

Durham Police Chief Jose Lopez, who was on the scene about 11:30 a.m., said officers did not have a lot of information on the shooting because their investigation was "still unfolding." He asked that anyone with information on the crime call Durham Crimestoppers at 683-1200.

John Colclough, principal of Northern High School, issued a statement saying, "We are deeply saddened by this tragic and senseless loss. Our deepest sympathies are with the family and loved ones of Skye Lee."

Durham schools are on spring break this week. Counselors will be on hand when students return April 8, county school officials said.

Staff writer Jim Wise contributed to this report.