A woman and a young boy are dead following a shooting at a home in Lexington, Minnesota, and a suspect is in custody, authorities confirmed.
Background
The Anoka County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a shooting just before 1 a.m. Wednesday at a residence in the Lexington area. Upon arrival, deputies found a woman deceased and a young boy who had sustained grave injuries. The child was transported to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Deputies from multiple agencies assisted in the response, including the Centennial Lakes Police Department. Officers deployed a police dog to search the area surrounding the home, where they located a suspect who was apprehended by the K-9 unit. The suspect was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries sustained during the apprehension.
The Midwest Medical Examiner's Office is assisting with the investigation into the deaths. Investigators have not released the names of the victims or the suspect, and no charges had been filed as of late Wednesday.
The Investigation
Neighbors spoke with KSTP reporters at the scene. One neighbor told the station the suspect was the girlfriend's boyfriend, indicating a potential domestic relationship between the suspect and one of the victims. Another neighbor provided video footage showing three children banging on a front door during the incident.
"Please help us," the children shouted according to the neighbor's account. "He shot my brother and mom."
Anoka County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Tierney Peters addressed the media following the incident. "It’s hard to fathom, and then especially a young juvenile involved," Peters said, calling the situation "heartbreaking."
The investigation remains active. Authorities are collecting evidence from the home and interviewing witnesses. The suspect, once treated at the hospital, will be questionned by investigators.
Key Takeaways
- A woman and young boy were found dead at a home in Lexington, Minnesota, just before 1 a.m. Wednesday
- The boy was taken to a hospital in grave condition and later pronounced dead
- A suspect was apprehended by a K-9 unit during a search of the area and taken to a hospital for treatment
- The suspect is believed to be the boyfriend of the female victim, according to neighbors
- Three children were present during the shooting and reportedly sought help from a neighbor
- The Anoka County Sheriff's Office, Centennial Lakes Police Department and Midwest Medical Examiner's Office are investigating
- No charges had been filed as of Wednesday evening
What's Next
The suspect, once discharged from the hospital, will be booked and formally questioned by investigators. The Midwest Medical Examiner's Office will determine the official cause and manner of death for both victims. Authorities are expected to release additional information, including the identities of those involved, as the investigation progresses. No court dates have been set as the case remains in its early investigative phase.