Minnesota – A Minnesota man was arrested in Iowa and charged in connection with a doubIe homicide after deputies say he broke into a home in Minnesota home and kiIIed two people. The Sheriff’s Office issued warrants accusing the 45-year-old shooter, R. Zimerman, of killing 50-year-old J. Renarts and 32-year-old T. Trescot. Minnesota authorities say the woman’s child inside the home called 911 and reported that the victim’s former partner had broken in and kiIIed his parent.
Minnesota authorities entered the residence about 4:22 a.m. and found two people suffering from gunshot wounds; both were pronounced dead at the scene. Deputies recovered spent shotgun shells in an upstairs bedroom where the shootings occurred, and investigators treated the case as a homicide investigation. Multiple children were present in the home during the incident, Minnesota authorities said.
After the shooting, the shooter fled in a vehicle. Law-enforcement agencies from multiple counties tracked the suspect into Iowa, where deputies located his car. In a high-speed pursuit that reached speeds over 100 mph, officers attempted to stop his vehicle. Authorities say the defendant then fired a shotgun backward out of his car at pursuing deputies during the chase; no law-enforcement officers were struck.
The pursuit ended when Iowa deputies performed a PIT maneuver that forced his vehicle into a ditch; he was then tasered and taken into custody. He was booked in the county jail on felony murder warrants from Minnesota and is being held on a large cash bond. Iowa authorities said they also plan to charge him for shooting at a deputy and evading arrest.
Investigators built their case from the 911 call, physical evidence at the scene and witness statements. The woman’s child, who was not identified due to his age, told dispatchers that the woman’s former partner had broken into the house and shot his mom, and that account helped direct first responders to the scene.
According to a criminal complaint reviewed by local outlets, the woman’s child told investigators he awoke to noise and found the shooter in the hallway. The boy said the man ordered him back into a bedroom while pointing the firearm at him. The child later ran to call 911 and reported the shooting. Neighbors and local reporters said investigators interviewed relatives and other witnesses as they processed the home and searched for evidence linking the suspect to the crime.
Authorities say the defendant has a criminal history that includes prior arrests for stalking and convictions for assault, burglary and driving while intoxicated; officials noted those records as part of their briefing on the suspect. After his arrest in Iowa, the defendant waived extradition to Minnesota, where the homicide warrants were issued, and was awaiting transfer. Iowa prosecutors said they will also pursue charges related to the interstate pursuit and the shotgun fire at deputies.