A tragic incident unfolded at a Minnesota home daycare where a man killed his wife and young daughter before committing suicide, authorities revealed on Wednesday. The investigation has connected these tragic events to another lethal stabbing at a nearby residence.
Hopkins Police Chief Brent Johnson reported that officers arrived around 9 a.m. local time at the Brown Bear Daycare following a domestic disturbance call. Inside, they discovered a 41-year-old man dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, along with his 41-year-old wife and 7-year-old daughter, both suffering fatal stab wounds.
Also, a 78-year-old woman was found stabbed to death in her Burnsville home, who is believed to be a relative, according to Chief Johnson.
Burnsville Police Chief Matt Smith stated that the suspect had been residing in the Burnsville home.
Authorities have not released the victims’ identities. Meanwhile, six other children present at the daycare during the incident were unharmed and have since been reunited with their families, as reported.
No note was left behind, police said.
Police are seen in Hopkins, Minn., after three people, including a child, were found deceased at an in-home daycare on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026. (KMSP)
Johnson said a parent who showed up at the daycare to drop off a child called police and investigators believe that parent witnessed the incident, the station reported.
“There’s no worse scenario than this, where you drop off your child to somewhere you think is safe, and you get that phone call,” Johnson said. “I think we can all relate, [those] who have children and those who don’t. This is just a tragic situation anywhere in the world, let alone here in Hopkins.”
The Hopkins Police Department later released a statement to News Media saying it “responded to a report of a stabbing at a residence operating as a home daycare in the 200 block of Tyler Avenue North in Hopkins.”
“At this time, we believe there are no outstanding suspects and no ongoing threat to the public,” police added. “This is an extremely tragic event for our community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by this devastating incident.”
Hopkins Police Chief Brent Johnson said six other children were inside Brown Bear Daycare at the time of the incident. They were unharmed and have since been reunited with their families. (KMSP)
Johnson told Fox 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul that investigators believe the deceased male was the perpetrator of the isolated incident and that he took his own life.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
“I know that our hearts and our prayers are with the people of Hopkins and any families that have been impacted,” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said Wednesday, according to the station. “I have already touched base directly with Hanlon and offer any assistance we can provide. The City of Minneapolis stands with Hopkins. We are not strangers to crisis, and when it takes place, we work together. That’s exactly what we’ll be doing here.”
Frey said the city will provide any resources. and assistance requested by Hopkins officials.
The neighborhood in Hopkins, Minn., where the incident happened at the in-home daycare on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026. (KMSP)
“We’re aware of this morning’s tragic and devastating incident in Hopkins and are working with Hopkins Police as they investigate,” added Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty. “Our office’s victim services division is prepared to support the individuals impacted by this incident.”
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., reacted to the tragedy during an appearance on FOX 9’s All Day.
“Your heart, you just think about these little kids in the daycare. Our daughter went to daycare for a while,” she said. “You think about dropping your child off, and then thinking about them in this scene of incredible violence and tragedy. You think about the relatives of this family, what they’ve lost with a little child, a mom and what these kids witnessed. No matter who old they are, it’s going to be with them forever.”