Minneapolis, MN – A community in Minneapolis is reeling from an unimaginable heartbreak after a devastating event unfolded early Monday morning. Police have confirmed that 50-year-old Scott Joseph Devery reportedly shot and killed his 2-year-old daughter, Kinsley Prinsen, before taking his own life in what appears to be a murder-suicide. The incident has left everyone in shock and sorrow.
The heartbreaking tragedy took place just after midnight at a home on the 2900 block of Colfax Avenue North. Officers from the Minneapolis Police Department were called to the home around 12:20 a.m. on June 9th. There, they made the devastating discovery: both Mr. Devery and the young child were found dead from gunshot wounds. The scene was described by authorities as deeply traumatic for all involved.
Adding to the profound sorrow, the child’s mother, Trisha Ann Prinsen, was present in the home when the shooting occurred. Miraculously, she was not physically harmed. However, the emotional toll of witnessing such a horrific event is immeasurable. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara expressed the profound grief felt by many, stating, “This is an unimaginable, heartbreaking tragedy. Our hearts go out to the child’s mother as she endures this overwhelming loss, and to the officers and investigators who responded to such a devastating scene.”
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner will officially determine the exact cause and manner of death, but all early signs point to this being a murder-suicide. What makes this tragedy even more difficult to comprehend is that, according to authorities, there were no previous calls for domestic violence or disturbances reported at the home. This means the terrible motive behind this horrific act remains unknown, leaving many to wonder why. The Minneapolis Police Department continues to investigate and is asking anyone with important information to come forward.
In a raw and emotional post on a fundraising platform, Trisha Ann Prinsen shared her unbearable grief with the world. “I’m the mother of my beautiful angel, Kinsley Prinsen, who was fatally shot and killed by her father, and then he killed himself in front of me,” she wrote, giving a clear picture of the nightmare she endured. Kinsley, remembered by those who loved her as a sweet, joyful toddler, had her young life cruelly cut short, leaving family, friends, and the entire Minneapolis community in deep mourning.
In the wake of such a devastating event, support services and counseling have been made available for the grieving family members and the first responders who had to witness the traumatic scene. Authorities are also using this moment to highlight the critical importance of mental health awareness and the availability of resources for families facing a crisis. As the police investigation continues, the community of Minneapolis is left to grapple with the profound loss of a young life and the painful ripple effect of domestic violence.
