A Minnesota man, Anthony Nephew, killed his wife, ex-girlfriend, two children, and himself following Donald Trump’s election victory on November 5, 2024.
Authorities believe the shooting spree was influenced by Nephew’s anger over Trump’s election. The 46-year-old father had a history of mental health issues, according to police.
Duluth Police discovered five bodies in two homes on Thursday afternoon. The first crime scene revealed the bodies of Erin Abramson, Nephew’s ex-girlfriend, and their son, Jacob Nephew, 15.
Both had died from gunshot wounds. The second scene revealed the bodies of Nephew’s wife, Kathryn Nephew, 45, and their 7-year-old son, Oliver Nephew.
Authorities later identified Nephew as the shooter. He was found dead in a nearby home, having turned the gun on himself.
Anger over Trump election victory
Before the killings, Nephew had shared numerous anti-Trump and left-wing posts on his social media accounts. In a July post, he expressed deep frustration, writing, “My mental health and the world can no longer peacefully coexist, and a lot of the reason is religion.” Nephew also wrote about his fears of religious zealots. “I am terrified of being burned at the stake as a witch or crucified on a burning cross.”
His social media posts also included political messages about the U.S. political climate. Nephew criticized the Republican Party and voiced dissatisfaction with the country’s political choices, stating, “We can do better than a binary choice between fascism and not fascism.”
Mental health struggles and warning signs
Nephew had been open about his mental health struggles. In a 2021 op-ed for the Duluth News Tribune, he warned about the dangers of untreated mental illness, writing, “For millions of Americans, a breakdown leads to suicide — or homicide before suicide.” He also lamented the lack of understanding and support for mental health issues in America, saying, “Mental health in this country is stigmatized, ignored, or treated as a burden for the individual to bear alone.”
Despite these warning signs, police have not yet determined a specific motive for the shooting spree. They are still investigating the events leading up to the killings.
Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa stated that there is no ongoing threat to the community. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the tragedy, but no further details have been released. The shocking incident has raised questions about the role of mental health issues and political stress in violent outcomes.
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