Grocery Store Shooting Victims Identified
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The victims killed in a grocery store shooting in Brooklyn Park Friday evening have been identified.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner said Abby Fedeli, 20, of Brooklyn Park, was one of the victims.
Police found Fedeli dead from a gunshot wound to the neck in the employee break room of Festival Foods at 8535 Edinburgh Center Drive at around 8:30 p.m.
Police also found an adult male with a gunshot wound. He was brought to North Memorial Medical Center where he died Friday night. His name will be officially released by the medical examiner, but his family confirms him as Michael Habte, 21. He was Fedeli's boyfriend.
Police said an acquaintance, possibly an ex-boyfriend, of Fedeli's was identified as the potential suspect. He fled the scene of the crime, but was able to be "tracked via cell phone to Minneapolis," said Sgt. Steve Palmquist of Brooklyn Park Police.
Officers located the suspect on the West Bank of the University of Minnesota on the Washington Avenue foot bridge, but when they approached him, he shot and killed himself. His identity will also be released at a later time by the medical examiner.
Chief Deputy Craig Enevoldsen of the Brooklyn Park Police Department confirmed that "everyone involved last evening did know one another, through their employment and potentially through a relationship."
Festival Foods Vice President of Operations Tom Clasen called the incident a tragedy beyond comprehension.
"All three employees were in good standing employees with the company, and, as I am sure you can imagine, this adds to our sorrow at this time," Clasen said.
Clasen said the company will offer counseling to employees who are grieving.
Andrew Hawkinson said he can't find the words to express how he feels about losing Habte, his best friend.
"Who would do this to him? He never has any problems with people, he's very personable, he never has any fights with anybody … That's why it just blows my mind; it hasn't sunk in yet," Hawkinson said.
He described Habte as a man who loved working on cars and who had a close relationship with his mother.
"His motivation is really going to inspire me from now on," Hawkinson said. "He always told me that I was going to be someone special. I kind of want to live up to that now. Do it for him."
The Fedeli family released a statement Sunday morning asking for privacy during this time.
"An extraordinarily bright, beautiful, and loving part of our lives has been senselessly taken away from us. Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated. Thank you for respecting our privacy as we grieve," the statement said.
Festival Foods said the store will open again to customers Sunday morning at 8 a.m.
