Three people — a man, a woman and a child — were found dead Wednesday morning inside an in-home daycare near Minneapolis, Hopkins police said, describing the incident as a domestic-related homicide. Authorities say the six other children who were present at the facility at the time were unharmed and have been reunited with their families.
Police response and initial findings
The Hopkins Police Department said officers were dispatched about 9 a.m. to the Brown Bear Daycare, located in the 200 block of Tyler Avenue North. Investigators reported finding three deceased people inside the residence operating as a daycare.
Police identified the victims as a man, a woman and a child and said they are believed to be family members. The department described the situation as domestic-related and said it currently believes there are no outstanding suspects and no ongoing threat to the public.
“There’s no worse scenario than this, where you drop off your child to somewhere you think is safe, and you get that phone call,” Hopkins Police Chief Brent Johnson said. “I think we can all relate, [those] who have children and those who don’t. This is just a tragic situation anywhere in the world, let alone here in Hopkins.”
Children at the daycare, witnesses and family notification
Officials said a parent who arrived to drop off a child called police and is believed to have witnessed the incident. The department said six other children inside the facility were not physically harmed and have been returned to their families.
- Victims: one man, one woman, one child (believed to be family members)
- Children present: six other children, unharmed and reunited with families
- Location: Brown Bear Daycare, 200 block of Tyler Avenue North, Hopkins
- Time: officers responded around 9 a.m. Wednesday
- Investigation status: described as domestic-related; no suspects believed outstanding; no ongoing public threat
Community impact and safety information
The deaths have prompted a heavy police and community response in Hopkins, a suburb immediately west of Minneapolis that shares many families, schools and childcare networks with the city. Parents who use home-based childcare providers locally will likely seek additional information and reassurance about safety protocols and licensing oversight.
Hopkins police called the event an "extremely tragic" incident and offered condolences to the families affected. Officials did not release the names or ages of the victims beyond confirming one was a child.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Agency | Hopkins Police Department |
| Location | Brown Bear Daycare, 200 block of Tyler Ave. N., Hopkins |
| Time reported | About 9 a.m. Wednesday |
| Victims | Three deceased (man, woman, child); six children unharmed |
At this stage, investigators are working to determine the exact circumstances that led to the deaths. Police did not release details on cause of death or a timeline of events beyond calling the incident a domestic-related homicide. Officials also did not identify the parent who reportedly witnessed the scene.
Resources and next steps
Hopkins police said they currently believe there is no ongoing danger to the public. The department has not announced any arrests or named suspects. Investigators will continue processing the scene and notifying next of kin, and the Hennepin County medical examiner will play a role in identifying the victims and determining cause and manner of death.
Local families and others affected by the news may consider reaching out to victim support services. If anyone is experiencing suicidal thoughts or in crisis, national resources such as the 988 Lifeline (formerly 1-800-273-TALK) are available for immediate help.
Further information, including any official updates on the investigation, is expected as Hopkins police continue their work. WE NEWS will monitor the situation and provide follow-up reporting as new facts are made public.
