Cloquet, Minnesota – A tragic incident unfolded in a small Minnesota town when a 32-year-old man from Ramsey, Nicholas Elliot Lenius, fatally shot a Super 8 hotel clerk and a guest without any apparent connection to the victims, according to authorities. On January 9th, Lenius took his own life during the shooting spree, prompting an active shooter warning in the town of Cloquet. It was revealed that Lenius did not know either of the victims he targeted in this senseless act of violence.
Toxicology reports later indicated the presence of methamphetamine in Lenius’ blood, suggesting that his actions may have been influenced by impairment during the shooting. The devastating aftermath of the incident left 22-year-old hotel employee Shellby Trettel and 35-year-old guest Patrick Jeffrey Roers fatally wounded. Roers was found shot inside a vehicle parked in the hotel lot, while Trettel was discovered near the front desk.
Both Lenius and Roers were guests at the Super 8 motel where the tragic events transpired, sending shockwaves through the tight-knit community in Cloquet. The night of the shooting saw an urgent alert issued regarding an active shooter at the hotel, urging residents in the vicinity of Big Lake Road and Highway 33 to seek shelter in place as a precautionary measure.
Cloquet, located approximately 20 miles west of Duluth, is home to around 12,000 residents who were deeply affected by the unforeseen violence that unfolded within their peaceful town. The senseless tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the heartbreaking consequences of gun violence and substance abuse, leaving a community in mourning and searching for answers in the wake of such a devastating event.