A tragic incident recently unfolded in Duluth, Minnesota, where Anthony Nephew, a 46-year-old man, fatally shot his wife, ex-partner, and their respective sons before taking his own life.
The victims were identified as Erin Abramson, 47, Jacob Nephew, 15, Kathryn Nephew, 45, and Oliver Nephew, 7. The shootings occurred across two households, with the first call to police coming just after 2 p.m. on Thursday.
Officers discovered Erin Abramson and Jacob Nephew dead from apparent gunshot wounds at one location. Later, at Anthony Nephew's residence, they found the bodies of Kathryn Nephew and Oliver Nephew, along with Anthony himself, who had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa noted that Anthony Nephew had a "pattern of mental health issues," but no clear motive for the killings has been determined. The city of Duluth, home to nearly 90,000 residents, is located approximately 135 miles north of Minneapolis.
This incident adds to the concerning trend of murder-suicides in the United States, which have been on the rise according to data from the Gun Violence Archive. In 2022, there were 670 such incidents involving firearms, marking the highest number on record.
The Duluth Police Department expressed their condolences, stating, "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims' families and loved ones involved in this tragic event." The investigation remains active and ongoing.
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