BLOOMINGTON, MINNESOTA: A Minnesota man is slapped with murder charges for allegedly killing his uncle who was a former mayor and his aunt in their home, in the middle of the night, authorities say.
According to the Star Tribune, 44-year-old Adam Garrett Roring, of Savage, is charged with second-degree intentional murder in connection with the death of his uncle, Mark Novak, 74.
He is also charged with attempted murder in connection to an attack on his aunt, Pamela Novak, 72, as per the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.
Pamela now remains under medical supervision as she suffered extensive injuries, including lacerations, broken bones on her hands and face, MPR News reports.
When did Roring attack his uncle and aunt?
On August 24, Bloomington police responded to a 911 call asking for help because “someone was inside their house,” the Bloomington Police Department said in a release.
She informed the authorities that she and her husband were asleep when they suddenly woke to their horror only to find a man beating them with an unknown object, police said.
Pamela was fortunate enough to escape the attack and immediately dialed the emergency responders, even though she was pushed down the stairs, authorities noted.
According to the criminal complaint obtained by the Star Tribune, the septuagenarian was able to identify Roring as the assailant, police said.
What did the officers discover upon arrival?
After they arrived at the scene, police found the victims inside the house, suffering from apparent stab wounds and blunt force injuries.
They also spotted a man at the same time who was trying to flee from the house, but he was captured and immediately taken into custody.
According to the criminal complaint, the attacker had a metal bar and part of a blood-covered nunchaku in his possession.
Mark suffered severe injuries
The couple was rushed to a medical facility where Mark was tragically declared dead.
Mark, who served as mayor of Janesville for one term from 2011 to 2012, suffered a severe laceration to his throat and injuries to his head and face, the criminal complaint obtained by the Star Tribune stated.
“Based upon the preliminary investigation, it is believed there is no known danger to the public at this time and this was not a random incident,” police said in the release.
The reason for the attack has still not yet been disclosed by the authorities.
What did Adam Garrett Roring tell the authorities?
According to the report of MPR News, Roring told detectives he had gone to his aunt and uncle’s house to return a key when he found an intruder inside, police said.
He allegedly told the officers that the intruder “had nunchucks and a chain, and that he struggled with the unknown intruder and got the weapons before the unknown intruder escaped out the front door,” the criminal complaint states.
He is held without bail in Hennepin County Jail. “This is a horrific and tragic event, and we ask for thoughts and prayers for the victims and their family,” Chief Booker Hodges said in the release.
“I am grateful for the excellent work of our dispatchers and police officers which led to the immediate apprehension of the suspect.”
A GoFundMe has been set up for Pamela and her family
“We are so incredibly grateful to still have Pam with us and know that she will recover,” organizer Shalon Fiala wrote.
“Their family has been faced with the unimaginable task of picking up the pieces to help Pam recover while trying to grapple with the raw grief of losing Mark so tragically. Can you imagine? No. Nope. No one cannot even when it's happening. This. Can't. Be. Real," Fiala continued.
“Anyone who knows Mark and Pam knows them as friends," she further said.
"They loved each other dearly and it spilled over to everyone they met. Their smiles, warmth, and kindness reached far and wide and never discriminated,” she concluded.
According to Fiala, Pamela faces an extended stay in ICU for her recovery and also due to limited room availability in next-level units. "As you can imagine her medical bills now and moving forward will be tremendous,” she said.
She faces “on-going physical therapy and mental health support, the restoration of her home and/or possible relocation, and support to help her live independently without her sweet husband,” Fiala further said.
