In a tragic incident that unfolded on Monday night, a fatal shooting at a motel in Cloquet, a small town in northeastern Minnesota, has left three people dead. The Cloquet Police Department has not yet released the names of the victims or the suspect involved in the incident.

According to Cloquet Police Chief Derek Randall, the first victim, a 22-year-old female from Cloquet, was working as a clerk at the Super 8 motel when she was shot behind the front desk. Shortly after, a 35-year-old man from Deer River, Minnesota, was fatally shot in a vehicle parked in the motel's parking lot. He was found with multiple gunshot wounds.

The suspect, a 32-year-old man from Ramsey, Minnesota, was discovered outside the motel property. Sadly, he was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, with a firearm located near him. The Super 8 motel is situated behind an Aldi grocery store and adjacent to an AmericInn along Big Lake Road.

The incident was reported to the authorities when an employee of the motel made a 911 call around 6:30 p.m., notifying them that a co-worker appeared to have been attacked. During the subsequent investigation, officers discovered the second victim inside a car.

In response to the incident, Cloquet police issued an "active shooter incident" warning at approximately 7 p.m., urging residents in the vicinity of the motel to stay away and shelter in place. This marked the first time such a warning had been issued in over two decades in the city, which is home to approximately 12,700 people.

A total of eight law enforcement agencies and emergency responder groups collaborated to provide assistance, including the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. The swift response from these entities helped to secure the area and ensure the safety of residents.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz expressed his condolences on social media, stating that he is "praying for those killed in another senseless act of gun violence." He pledged continued support from the state to local authorities in dealing with the aftermath of the tragic incident.

As the investigation continues, the community of Cloquet and its residents mourn the loss of lives in this devastating shooting incident. The names of the victims and suspect are expected to be released in due course, shedding further light on the circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking event.