Suspect Targets Ex-Girlfriend and Her Partner in Minneapolis Shooting
In a day marked by violence and tragedy, a shooting spree on Tuesday, October 22, began in Minneapolis and ended with a fatal shooting near Willmar, Minnesota. What started as a domestic dispute turned into a multi-county police chase, leaving two people dead and several others wounded.
The chain of events began at approximately 12:30 PM when Minneapolis police received a distress call about shots fired at an apartment building on Lyndale Avenue South, in the heart of the city's bustling Uptown neighborhood. The police responded quickly, arriving to a chaotic scene. Witnesses reported seeing a man firing indiscriminately from a second-floor balcony.
The suspect’s targets were identified as his ex-girlfriend and her current boyfriend, both of whom were injured in the attack. The police have not yet released the names of the victims. Miraculously, the ex-girlfriend’s young child, who she shared with the suspect, was unharmed. The child was at a nearby daycare facility, which was placed on lockdown for safety precautions as soon as the incident unfolded.
After the initial attack, the suspect fled the scene, prompting an extensive manhunt that quickly escalated into a high-speed chase, stretching across several counties. Minneapolis police, along with the state highway patrol and several local law enforcement agencies, pursued the suspect westward. By mid-afternoon, authorities had tracked the suspect to Kandiyohi County, a rural area about 90 miles west of Minneapolis.
It was at a residence near Lake Lillian that the suspect committed his next violent act. A 25-year-old man was shot and severely injured. While his injuries were life-threatening, emergency responders were able to stabilize him, and he remains in stable condition in a local hospital.
The most harrowing moment of the chase occurred as law enforcement officers closed in on the suspect near the Highway 71/23 bypass, southeast of Willmar. In a desperate attempt to evade the authorities, the suspect tried to carjack a vehicle. Tragically, the driver of the vehicle, identified as 55-year-old Jerome Skluzacek from New London, was fatally shot in the process.
Skluzacek, a well-respected community member, was a husband and father, whose untimely death has devastated his family and shocked the small community of New London. His killing marked the culmination of the suspect’s violent spree before the suspect was apprehended by law enforcement just minutes later.
The 25-year-old suspect, a Minneapolis resident whose identity has not yet been disclosed, was taken into custody without further incident. He is currently being held at the Kandiyohi County Jail, where he faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder. However, formal charges have not yet been announced by prosecutors.
As the investigation continues, authorities are piecing together the full extent of the violence that unfolded over several hours and multiple locations. They are also working to determine the suspect’s motives, though initial reports suggest that the attack may have been driven by personal grievances between the suspect and his ex-girlfriend.
The Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office has urged the public and the media to respect the privacy of the victims and their families, particularly those who are still recovering from their injuries. In a press release, they also praised the swift and coordinated efforts of the law enforcement officers involved in the pursuit and eventual capture of the suspect.
"The bravery shown by our officers, along with the cooperation of multiple agencies, ensured that the suspect was brought into custody without further harm to the public," the statement read. The officers involved are expected to undergo a routine review, particularly given the complex and dangerous nature of the chase.
Both Minneapolis and Kandiyohi County are reeling from the events. In Minneapolis, the violence has heightened concerns over public safety, with residents voicing their anxieties about the rising rate of violent crime in the city. Lyndale Avenue South, where the initial shooting took place, is a popular urban area lined with restaurants, shops, and apartment buildings. The sudden eruption of violence in such a normally bustling area has left residents and business owners shaken.
In New London, the loss of Jerome Skluzacek is felt deeply. Friends and neighbors describe him as a kind, hardworking man, devoted to his family and community. The local church is organizing a vigil in his memory, and there has already been an outpouring of support for his widow and children.
As authorities continue their investigation into this tragic series of events, it is clear that the impact will be felt for some time. The violence on October 22 serves as a reminder of the far-reaching consequences of domestic disputes and the potential for escalation when unresolved issues spiral out of control.
Minnesota’s communities are now left grappling with the aftermath of a day of senseless violence. As more details emerge, both cities will look to heal, with support from local leaders and law enforcement in the difficult days ahead.
