A peaceful October afternoon in Minnesota was shattered by a shocking series of violent events that unfolded across multiple locations, leaving two men seriously wounded and another tragically killed. The victim, 55-year-old Jerome Skluzacek from New London, was fatally shot during a chaotic carjacking attempt near Willmar, marking the tragic culmination of a chain of events that began earlier in the day in Minneapolis. The suspect, a 25-year-old man from Minneapolis, is now in custody, but the incident has left a trail of devastation in its wake, affecting several communities in Minnesota.
The Beginning of the Incident in Minneapolis
The tragic series of events began around 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, when Minneapolis police received urgent calls reporting gunfire at an apartment building located on the 2900 block of Lyndale Avenue South. Neighbors in the normally quiet residential area were startled by the sounds of multiple gunshots, which quickly escalated into a full-blown crisis.
Witnesses described seeing a man, later identified as the suspect, firing a weapon from the balcony of one of the apartment units. It is believed that the suspect’s targets were his ex-girlfriend and her current boyfriend, both of whom were in the apartment at the time of the shooting. As the gunfire erupted, panic spread throughout the building, with residents fleeing to safety and others locking themselves in their apartments to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
Upon arriving at the scene, Minneapolis police officers discovered two victims: the ex-girlfriend, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds, and her current boyfriend, who was also injured. Both victims were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where they were treated for their injuries. Miraculously, despite the severity of the situation, both victims survived the attack and are currently recovering from their wounds. Their identities have not been released to the public at this time, but police have confirmed that they are cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, concern quickly turned to the safety of a young child shared by the suspect and his ex-girlfriend. Fortunately, the child was not present at the apartment during the attack and was safely attending daycare at a nearby facility. Minneapolis police took swift action, placing the daycare on lockdown as a precautionary measure to ensure the child’s safety. The lockdown remained in place until authorities were certain that the suspect had fled the area, at which point the child was safely reunited with family members.
The Pursuit Across Counties
After the shooting in Minneapolis, the suspect fled the scene in his vehicle, setting off a lengthy and dangerous pursuit that would extend across multiple counties in western Minnesota. Law enforcement officers from both the Minneapolis Police Department and surrounding agencies were immediately alerted to the situation, and a manhunt was launched to apprehend the armed suspect.
As the pursuit unfolded, the suspect’s erratic behavior and increasingly desperate actions became clear. The chase led officers through the rural stretches of Kandiyohi County, where the suspect attempted to evade capture by any means necessary. At around 2:00 p.m., a disturbing escalation occurred when the suspect stopped at a rural residence near Lake Lillian, a small town located in central Minnesota.
According to local authorities, the suspect entered the residence and opened fire on a 25-year-old man who lived on the property. The victim, whose name has not been released, was shot multiple times but managed to survive the attack. He was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition, where doctors worked tirelessly to stabilize him. As of the most recent reports, the victim remains in stable condition and is expected to survive his injuries, though his recovery will likely be a long and difficult one.
Following the shooting at the rural residence, the suspect once again fled the scene, leaving local law enforcement scrambling to keep up with his movements. At this point, the urgency of the situation had intensified, as it became clear that the suspect was willing to commit further violence in his attempt to avoid capture.
The Fatal Carjacking Near Willmar
The high-speed chase eventually brought the suspect to the outskirts of Willmar, a city located approximately 90 miles west of Minneapolis. It was here, at the Highway 71/23 bypass southeast of Willmar, that the tragic climax of the day’s events occurred.
At around 3:00 p.m., the suspect, in a desperate bid to escape law enforcement, attempted to carry out a carjacking. He approached a vehicle driven by 55-year-old Jerome Skluzacek of New London, a man known and loved by his community for his kindness, humility, and hard work. Skluzacek had been driving in the area when he was suddenly confronted by the armed suspect.
What transpired next was a brutal and senseless act of violence. The suspect, determined to take control of Skluzacek’s vehicle, opened fire on the unarmed man. Skluzacek was fatally shot during the altercation, and despite the best efforts of emergency responders who arrived at the scene shortly after, he was pronounced dead from his injuries. The entire community of New London is now reeling from the loss of a man who had been a beloved friend, neighbor, and father figure to many.
The Arrest of the Suspect
Shortly after the fatal shooting of Jerome Skluzacek, law enforcement officers were able to corner the suspect, bringing the hours-long pursuit to an end. A tactical team from the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office, along with officers from multiple other jurisdictions, worked together to apprehend the suspect without further loss of life.
The suspect, whose name has not yet been formally released, was taken into custody and transported to the Kandiyohi County Jail, where he is being held on multiple charges. Among the most serious charges are first-degree murder for the killing of Skluzacek, attempted murder for the shooting of the 25-year-old man at the rural residence, and multiple other offenses related to the earlier incident in Minneapolis. Law enforcement officials have indicated that the suspect will face a long list of charges, and he is expected to make his first court appearance in the coming days.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to piece together the exact sequence of events that led to the suspect’s deadly rampage. The Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office has asked the public for patience as they conduct a thorough investigation, which includes interviewing witnesses, collecting forensic evidence, and analyzing surveillance footage from various locations.
The Impact on the Community
The senseless violence that claimed the life of Jerome Skluzacek and injured two others has left the communities of New London, Lake Lillian, and Minneapolis in mourning. Skluzacek’s death, in particular, has had a profound impact on the people of New London, a close-knit town where he was well-known and deeply respected. Friends and neighbors remember Skluzacek as a man who always had a smile on his face and was quick to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He was a fixture in the community, involved in local events and always willing to volunteer his time to make the town a better place.
In the days following his death, a memorial for Skluzacek has been set up at the site of the shooting, with friends, family, and community members leaving flowers, notes, and photographs in his honor. The outpouring of grief and support for his family has been overwhelming, with many people expressing their shock and sorrow at the senseless nature of his death. Vigils are planned in both New London and Willmar, where community members will gather to remember Skluzacek and offer their condolences to his grieving family.
The two other victims, the ex-girlfriend and her current boyfriend in Minneapolis, are also receiving support from their communities as they recover from their injuries. While they survived the initial attack, the psychological and emotional trauma they have endured will likely take much longer to heal. Their family has asked for privacy during this difficult time.
Law Enforcement Response
The actions of law enforcement officers from Minneapolis to Kandiyohi County have been praised by officials and the public alike for their swift and coordinated response to a rapidly evolving and dangerous situation. From the initial response to the apartment shooting in Minneapolis to the successful apprehension of the suspect near Willmar, officers risked their lives to prevent further loss of life.
Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office has commended the bravery and professionalism of the officers involved, acknowledging the risks they faced in bringing the suspect into custody. While the tragic loss of Jerome Skluzacek is an irreparable blow to his family and the community, law enforcement officials have expressed relief that no further bloodshed occurred and that the suspect was captured without additional casualties.
Continuing Investigation
The Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Minneapolis Police Department and other local agencies, continues to investigate the full scope of Tuesday’s violent events. The suspect’s motives remain unclear, though authorities believe that the initial shooting in Minneapolis may have been driven by personal grievances related to his relationship with his ex-girlfriend. Detectives are also investigating whether the suspect had a history of violent behavior or mental health issues that may have contributed to the day’s deadly incidents.
In the days and weeks ahead, the community will come together to support the victims, their families, and each other as they attempt to make sense of the senseless violence that shattered their peaceful towns. The tragic events of October 22, 2024, will leave a lasting impact on all those involved, but the strength, resilience, and solidarity of the people of Minnesota will undoubtedly help them heal and move forward.
