Crime
55-year-old Jerome Skluzacek killed after shooting near Willmar in Minneapolis
The suspect was apprehended and taken into custody by authorities.
UPDATE: The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the deceased person from yesterday’s shooting near Willmar, as Jerome Skluzacek, 55, of New London, MN.
Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson, Imran Ali statedthat the victim from the shooting near Lake Lillian is in stable condition and is expected to survive.
He has been identified as Peter Mayerchak, 25, of Lake Lillian, MN.
The suspect has been identified as Ameer Matariyeh, 25, of Minneapolis, MN.
This investigation is still ongoing and no further information will be released at this time.
The Kandiyohi County Sheriff and several of his Deputies were witnesses to this violent incident.
As such, no comments on these tragedies will be made by the Sheriff’s Office.
Please keep the victims and their families in your thoughts and prayers and respect their privacy during this difficult time. The deputies and other law enforcement officers that responded and apprehended the suspect risked their lives to protect their communities. These women and men are true heroes.
ORIGINAL REPORT:
A tragic series of events unfolded on Tuesday, beginning with a shooting incident in Minneapolis and culminating in a fatal shooting near Willmar.
The incident began around 12:30 PM when Minneapolis police responded to reports of gunfire at an apartment building on the 2900 block of Lyndale Avenue South.
Witnesses reported seeing a man firing shots from a balcony.
Officers discovered two victims at the scene: the suspect’s ex-girlfriend and her current boyfriend.
A child shared by the ex-girlfriend and the suspect was thankfully safe at a daycare facility, which was immediately placed on lockdown.
The suspect fled the scene, leading police on a lengthy chase that extended into western Minnesota. In Kandiyohi County, the suspect shot and injured a man at a rural residence.
Law enforcement pursued the suspect to the Highway 71/23 bypass southeast of Willmar, where he attempted a carjacking and fatally shot the driver.
The suspect was apprehended and taken into custody by authorities.
He is currently being held in the Kandiyohi County Jail on multiple charges, including murder.
The victim of the shooting near Willmar has been identified as 55-year-old Jerome Skluzacek of New London.
The victim of the shooting near Lake Lillian, a 25-year-old man from Lake Lillian, is in stable condition and expected to survive.
The suspect, a 25-year-old man from Minneapolis, has not been formally charged at this time.
The Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation into the incident and has requested that the public respect the privacy of the victims and their families during this difficult time.
The sheriff’s office also acknowledged the bravery and dedication of the law enforcement officers who responded to the incident and apprehended the suspect, risking their own lives to protect the community.
Crime
Stephen McKenzie Identified as Suspect in Pembroke Park Shooting That Left Mother and Three Children Dead
PEMBROKE PARK, FL – Authorities have identified the suspect in a horrific mass shooting at a Pembroke Park apartment complex as 34-year-old Stephen McKenzie, the father of two of the youngest victims.
The shooting, which occurred on Wednesday evening, claimed the lives of a mother and three of her children.
At approximately 7:30 p.m., Pembroke Park Police and Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) deputies responded to reports of gunfire at an apartment complex located in the 3100 block of Hallandale Beach Boulevard.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a woman and three children fatally shot inside the residence.
The victims were identified as:
- Julie Cruz, 32 (mother)
- Xion Solomon, 11
- Nova McKenzie, 2
- Emery McKenzie, 2
Both Nova and Emery were McKenzie’s biological children, authorities confirmed.
Additionally, first responders found 8-year-old Phiinyx Solomon suffering from gunshot wounds.
She was immediately transported to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, where she remains in serious condition.
McKenzie was also located at the scene with a self-inflicted gunshot wound following an unsuccessful suicide attempt, according to investigators.
He was transported to HCA Florida Aventura Hospital in critical condition and is currently in police custody.
During a press briefing, BSO spokesperson Claudinne Caro confirmed that McKenzie has been identified as the primary suspect in the shooting.
“Upon arrival, officers found a woman and three children inside the apartment, all of whom were pronounced deceased from gunshot wounds. Another child and an adult male were also found injured. That male has now been identified as the suspect,” Caro stated.
The children’s grandmother arrived at the scene shortly after authorities notified her of the tragedy, collapsing into tears as she grieved the loss of her daughter and grandchildren.
“That’s my daughter! That’s my daughter!” she wailed in agony, as bystanders and neighbors attempted to console her.
Authorities have not yet released details regarding the motive behind the attack, but neighbors and community members are left shocked and devastated by the brutal act of domestic violence.
“I just don’t understand what could lead someone to do something so terrible,” said one neighbor.
McKenzie remains hospitalized under police watch as the BSO Homicide Unit continues its investigation.
Officials urge anyone with additional information to contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.