Early Sunday morning, just after 4:22 a.m., the Brown County Sheriff’s Office in Minnesota received a 911 call from a juvenile who reported that his mother’s ex-boyfriend had broken into their home on the 100 block of Blessum Street West in Hanska and shot the mother. When deputies arrived, they found two victims inside the residence: a 32-year-old woman and a 50-year-old man. Both had suffered gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators quickly identified the suspect as 45-year-old Randy Thomas Zimmerman, of rural Courtland, Minnesota. According to police, Zimmerman was considered armed and dangerous. He was last seen wearing a black or camouflage jacket, black pants, black shoes and a black baseball-style hat, and carrying a long gun. Later that same day, about 4:12 p.m., law enforcement in Iowa including the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa State Patrol took Zimmerman into custody in southeastern Iowa. According to a criminal complaint, the juvenile witness told officers he awoke to yelling and a gunshot, then saw the suspect pointing a gun at him and telling him to go back to his room. Later, a brother of the suspect reportedly sent a text message in which the suspect confessed to the killings. According to reports, during the pursuit into Iowa, law-enforcement reported that Zimmerman fired at deputies but no one was injuried. Charges were filed on Sunday in Brown County, with Zimmerman facing second-degree murder. Investigating agencies on the Minnesota side included the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the New Ulm Police Department, the Sleepy Eye Police Department, the Hanska Fire Department, the Nicollet County Sheriff’s Office, and the Brown-Lyon-Redwood-Renville County Emergency Response unit. Investigators stress that the case remains active and ongoing.
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Cottonwood County Sheriff’s Office reported 41 calls in the week of October 26th to November 1st. Deputies conducted 18 Civil Processes, made 2 Public Assists, Assisted 2 other Agencies, had 1 Animal Call, Investigated 1 Suspicious Activity and conducted 4 Traffic Stops. A full listing of all calls in the Cottonwood County Sheriff’s Office Weekly Citizens Report is available by clicking the link below.
Weekly Citizen Report 10-26to11-1
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Jackson County Sheriff’s Office reported 13 calls from October 30th to November 2nd. Officers conducted a traffic stop, assisted other agencies, responded to a burglary at Jackson Tobacco at 1:42am on Sunday. A juvenile was arrested for Burglary and released to a parent. Then at 2:17am on Sunday, Deputies responded to a report of a vehicle that left the roadway and was in Duck Lake. The driver was not injured but was unable to get out of the vehicle. The Heron Lake Fire Department, Okabena Fire Department, and Heron Lake Ambulance responded to the scene. After investigating, an 18-year-old female from North Mankato was arrested for DUI. A deputy responded to a report of suspicious activity concerning two vehicles in Minneota Township. After investigating, the matter was turned over to the MN DNR. A full listing of all calls for the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department is available by clicking link below.
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Report October 31st to November 2nd
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Today’s meetings include:
- Murray County Board of Commissioners will be meeting 8:30am in the Murray County Government Center.
- Jackson County Board of Commissioners and the Drainage Authority at 9am at the Jackson County Court House Commissioners Board Room
- The Cottonwood County Board of Commissioners at 9:00am at the Cottonwood County Courthouse.
- The St James City Council at 5:30pm in James City Hall Council Chambers. Meetings can be viewed live or anytime on the City of St James’s YouTube Channel.
- The Windom City Council at 8:05 pm at Windom City Hall in the City Council Chambers
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IF you are hungry but don’t want to make supper tonight head over to the Good Samaritan Society located at 745 Basinger Memorial Drive in Mountain Lake as they are hosting their Annual Turkey Supper from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Take Out is available but you MUST call 507-427-2464 to reserve. The meal features turkey with all the fixings, plus a beef roast alternative. Cost is $10.50 for adults, $6 for children ages 6 to 13, and free for kids five and under. Guests can also browse all the raffle gift baskets and purchase tickets during the event for $1 each.
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