CLOQUET, Minn. — Two people were shot and killed Monday night at a hotel, and the shooter has also been found dead, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office.
Three dead in Cloquet, Minn., including suspected shooter
Residents near a Super 8 hotel were urged to shelter in place until police found the suspect was dead.
January 9, 2024 at 5:08AM
An employee of the Super 8 hotel on Big Lake Road near Hwy. 33 called 911 around 6:30 p.m. to report that a fellow hotel worker "looked like she'd been attacked," according to a news release from the Cloquet Police Department.
Officers found the 22-year-old employee with a gunshot wound. She was taken to St. Luke's Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
While investigating, officers found a 35-year-old man dead from a gunshot wound inside a car in the hotel parking lot, according to the release.
Police later found a 32-year-old man outside the hotel property, dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A gun was found next to him, police said. According to the release, surveillance video from hotel confirmed the 32-year-old was the shooter.
No information was available on a motive for the shootings or if there was a connection between the suspect and the two victims, police said, adding that the department is confident there is no further threat to the public.
The police department will hold a news conference at a time yet to be determined Tuesday at Cloquet City Hall, 101 14th St., the department said.
The identities of the three found dead will not be released until family members have been notified.
Cloquet police sent out an "active shooter incident" warning around 7 p.m. Monday, reporting that "several" victims were involved.
"The area has been secured. Police on-scene have located one deceased person whom they believe to be the shooter," police said in the update around 8 p.m.
The "active shooter" warning advised residents in the area near the hotel to steer clear and shelter in place.
"Please stay calm and take immediate action to ensure your safety," read the initial alert.
Nearby businesses including Super One Foods closed early.
The hotel is tucked behind an Aldi grocery and next door to an AmericInn off Big Lake Road. Officers taped off a shared parking lot, with an officer from Fond du Lac keeping onlookers away from the scene.
Eight additional law enforcement agencies and emergency responder groups assisted with the response, including the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Cloquet police said.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz posted on X that he is "praying for those killed in another senseless act of gun violence," and said the state "stands ready to provide continued support to local authorities."
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