Sheriff: Ramsey Mother Killed In Murder-Suicide
RAMSEY, Minn. -- Police say a husband shot and killed his wife in front of their children, before turning the gun on himself. Courtney Monson, 30, was killed Friday night in Ramsey. According to 911 dispatchers, they could hear screaming and crying as someone from inside the home called for help.
"It's just tragic," friend Dustin Reeder said.
Reeder can't comprehend what unfolded inside the Monson home Friday night. Courtney volunteered with him at the Anoka Ramsey Athletic Association.
"It's like a member of your family is gone," Reeder said.
Witnesses told police Courtney ran to the basement with three of their four kids to hide after a violent confrontation with her husband Bryce Monson. Bryce shot her multiple times in front of them, and then killed himself.
"It's been a shock to our community, so we're going to make a pledge to rally our community and our family behind her family and lift them up in every possible way we can," Reeder said.
WCCO discovered there was a petition to have Bryce committed for chemical dependency and mental illness in 2003. He followed a program and it was dismissed in 2004.
People close to the Monson's say the relationship was strained, and there was a history of emotional abuse.
"We don't want any more of these, madam president," Sen. Jim Abeler said.
On the Senate floor, Abeler begged women to not be afraid to ask for help, and for troubled men to seek help.
"If people would join me in standing not just for these four children, but for the grandparents and the people touched, and the many hundreds who face unnecessary challenges like this I would be most grateful," Abeler said.
And then the room stood for a moment of silence.
The Athletic Association, along with Courtney's church, will hold a vigil Friday at 8 p.m. at Central Park in Ramsey. They are asking people to wear their uniforms in her honor.
The four kids, ages 2 to 12, are being cared for by grandparents.
The family's church has set up this GoFundMe page to help cover funeral costs and raising the kids. The Courtney Monson Memorial Fund has also been set up at Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union. Donations are accepted at any of the 27 branches.
