Man kills wife and 7-year-old daughter before taking own life at Minnesota home daycare; fourth victim found

A man killed his wife and young daughter before taking his own life at a Minnesota home daycare, authorities said Wednesday, with investigators linking the deaths to a fatal stabbing at another nearby residence. 

Hopkins Police Chief Brent Johnson said officers responded to a report of a domestic situation at about 9 a.m. local time at the Brown Bear Daycare and discovered a 41-year-old man with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, his 41-year-old wife and their 7-year-old daughter, both with stab wounds, inside the home.

Additionally, a 78-year-old woman believed to be a relative was found stabbed to death at her home in nearby Burnsville, the chief said. 

The suspect had been living in the Burnsville home, said Burnsville Police Chief Matt Smith. 

None of the victims were identified. The six other children in the facility at the time of the incident, who were unharmed, have been reunited with their families, he reportedly added.

No note was left behind, police said. 

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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 Fox News Digital 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."

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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. 

"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."