A Minnesota daycare became the scene of a devastating tragedy as its owner fatally shot his wife and young daughter before taking his own life. The horror unfolded during the morning drop-off.
“This is a horrific, tragic situation,” stated Hopkins Police Chief Brent Johnson on August 12 during a press conference. “Nothing is worse than leaving your child at a place you believe to be secure, only to receive a phone call telling you otherwise.”
A parent was horrified upon discovering the deadly events at Brown Bear Childcare on August 12, prompting them to immediately dial 911.
“They witnessed the events occurring inside the residence at that time. Yes, our witness clearly identified the suspect,” explained Johnson. “We can confirm that the deceased suspect was responsible for the deaths of his wife and daughter.”
When police arrived at the home-based daycare on Tyler Avenue North, they discovered three lifeless bodies: a 41-year-old man who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and in the basement, his 41-year-old wife and 7-year-old daughter, both victims of stabbing. The family was believed to have lived in the residence.
Six “very, very young” children were already inside the daycare at the time of the killings, said Hopkins, and were reunited with their families.
Authorities say the deaths may be linked to a same-day killing in the nearby town of Burnsville, where a 78-year-old woman was found stabbed to death inside a home.
“We believe it is a close family relative of the suspect in Hopkins,” Burnsville Police Chief Matt Smith said in a press conference. “The suspect, we believe, had been recently living in that residence.”
The Hennepin Medical Examiner has not released the identities of the victims or the cause and manners of death, a spokesperson told Oxygen.
After news broke, the daycare community shared its shock.
One mother whose son had previously attended the daycare described the husband as “aloof,” according to the New York Times.
Neighbor Jessica Morlock, who worked with the couple on some community projects, told the outlet that they seemed like “really kind and generous people.”
Meanwhile, Amanda Marx, a nurse who lives across the street from the daycare, saw police trying to break down the front door and one officer carrying out a child.
As she told the Associated Press, “I’m just trying to figure out how to explain to my 7-year-old why there’s crime scene tape on our deck.”
The daycare has been licensed in the state since 2019 and accepts a maximum of 10 children, the AP reported. A description on the daycare’s Facebook page describes it as “a warm, caring environment to help children learn and grow.”
Spokespeople from the Hopkins Police Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Oxygen.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and there is no threat to the greater community. However, the impact is significant.
“This was one of those ones that you’ll remember throughout your entire career,” said Johnson, “if not life.”