Accident – Death – Obituary News : Cloquet, Minn. — New details have emerged in the investigation of the tragic shooting that took place at the Super 8 Motel on January 9. The Cloquet Police Department has revealed that the suspect, Nicholas Elliot Lenius, had methamphetamine in his system at the time of the incident. Lenius, who was previously unknown to the victims, Shellby Trettel and Patrick Jeffrey Roers, was found dead outside the hotel with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
**The Victims**
Shellby Trettel, a 22-year-old resident of Cloquet, and Patrick Jeffrey Roers, a 35-year-old from Deer River, were the unfortunate victims of this senseless act of violence. The community has been left in shock by the tragic events that unfolded at the Super 8 Motel that fateful day.
**Investigation Details**
Chief Derek Randall of the Cloquet Police Department stated that the investigation included interviews, cell phone data analysis, and a review of toxicology reports from the medical examiner. Despite examining the suspect’s electronic devices, no evidence was found to suggest that Lenius had any prior connection to the victims.
**Toxicology Report**
The toxicology report revealed the presence of methamphetamine in Lenius’s system, indicating possible impairment at the time of the incident. During interviews, it was discovered that Lenius had contacted a coworker and made reference to dealing with “monsters.” This, coupled with the presence of drugs in his system, suggests that Lenius may have been experiencing a mental health episode at the time of the shooting.
**Next Steps**
The Cloquet Police Department will be sending the final investigative reports to the Carlton County Attorney’s Office for review. The community is reeling from the tragic loss of Trettel and Roers, and the investigation continues to uncover more details surrounding the events that transpired at the Super 8 Motel.
**In Conclusion**
The events that unfolded at the Super 8 Motel on January 9 have left the Cloquet community in mourning. The shocking revelation of methamphetamine in the suspect’s system adds a new layer of complexity to this already tragic story. As the investigation progresses, more details are sure to emerge, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking incident..