A violent occurrence at the Super 8 motel on Big Lake Road, near Highway 33, left the peaceful town of Cloquet, Minnesota, in shock on the evening of January 8, 2024.
The Cloquet Police Department was alerted to an ongoing hostile situation involving a shooter. They promptly responded to the scene around 6:30 p.m.
Upon their arrival, officers found two individuals suffering from gunshot wounds. Shellby Trettel, a 22-year-old hotel clerk from Cloquet, was among the victims. She was discovered near a desk and promptly transported to St. Luke’s Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
The police also identified a 35-year-old man from Deer River, a guest at the hotel, who had been shot multiple times. His lifeless body was found in a vehicle parked in the motel’s lot.
Subsequently, officers discovered a deceased 32-year-old man from Ramsey, believed to be the shooter, outside the motel. His death appeared to be the result of a self-inflicted gunshot, and a firearm was found nearby.
Authorities later confirmed the man’s identity as the suspect after reviewing the motel’s surveillance footage. During the course of the incident, residents near the motel were urged to stay indoors, secure their windows and doors, and report any suspicious activities to 911.
By 8 p.m., law enforcement declared the area safe. The unfortunate conclusion of the incident was confirmed by the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office: three individuals, including the suspect, were dead.
The investigation has since been handed over to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Cloquet Police. As of yet, no motive for the act has been established.