Authorities believe a man killed his wife, ex-partner and two children before taking his own life Thursday.

The Duluth Police Department said Friday that it is continuing to investigate the motive and timing of the shootings at two West Duluth residences.

The victims were identified as Erin Abramson, 47, and her son, Jacob Nephew, 15, and Kathryn “Kat” Nephew Ramsland, 45, and her son, Oliver Nephew, 7.

The alleged shooter, Anthony “Tony” Nephew, 46, was also found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was married to Ramsland and was the father of both children. He had openly discussed mental health issues in the past.

“This is not something that happens often in our community,” said Mayor Roger Reinert, “and it’s been a couple years since we’ve seen something like this. We’re going to grieve, but we’re also going to make sure that we support these families and support our public safety team.”

Police Chief Mike Ceynowa said concerns were first raised by Abramson’s colleague after she failed to show up to work. Officers responded to her residence, 6009 Tacony St., shortly after 2 p.m. and found both her and Jacob Nephew dead.

After identifying Anthony Nephew as a suspect, police set up a perimeter around his home less than a mile east, 4401 W. Sixth St., adjacent to Denfeld High School. Ceynowa said a drone was deployed to search inside the house, discovering the bodies of Ramsland, Oliver Nephew and Anthony Nephew.

— Forum News Service

West Seventh project delayed until Monday

Due to weather, the state Department of Transportation has rescheduled emergency repairs and resurfacing on Minnesota 5/West Seventh Street between Davern and Wheeler streets in St. Paul.

The work — which had been scheduled earlier this week — is expected to be completed from 5 to 10 a.m. Monday. While the work is going on, maintenance crews will restrict traffic to a single lane in each direction. At the same time, traffic signals at Davern and Highway 5/West Seventh will be in flashing red mode and controlled by flaggers.

Officials advise motorists to use alternative routes to avoid congestion or delays.

The work is being done ahead of two projects aimed at improving safety and mobility on the highway between Munster and St. Clair avenues in 2028 and between St. Clair and Olive Street in 2029.

— Staff report

Boy, 14, charged with apparent school threat

A 13-year-old boy who had researched school shootings online was arrested hours after he tried to enter a Wisconsin elementary school with suspicious bags, police said.

Investigators believe the boy was armed, judging by videos of him brandishing what investigators believe was a rifle and comments he made to other students, said Patrick Patton, police chief in Kenosha, a city on Lake Michigan between Milwaukee and Chicago.

“We narrowly missed a tragedy,” Patton said at a news conference Thursday afternoon.

The teen tried to enter Roosevelt Elementary School around 9 a.m. Thursday with a backpack and a duffle bag, according to police. Staff members grew suspicious and moved to question him, but he fled.

Kenosha Unified schools were placed on lockdown for the rest of the day as police searched for the boy. They finally arrested him at his home that afternoon.

The teen attends Mahone Middle School in Kenosha and was a former Roosevelt Elementary student, police said, but they have not released his name. They said in a news release Friday that he has been charged with making terroristic threats. Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley said in an email to the Associated Press on Friday that the boy will be prosecuted in juvenile court, where proceedings are confidential.

— Associated Press

Leinenkugel’s historic brewery to be shuttered

Leinenkugel’s Brewing Company will be shutting down most of its historic western Wisconsin operations in Chippewa Falls next year.

Molson Coors, the parent company of Leinenkugel’s, made the announcement Wednesday.

Dick Leinenkugel, a retired Leinenkugel Brewing Co. president, said: “I am deeply saddened by the decision of the Molson Coors leadership team to close our Chippewa Falls brewery and home,” he wrote. “For over 157 years and six generations of family management, Leinenkugel’s has been brewing great beers for our legions of fans throughout Wisconsin and across the country.”

Dick Leinenkugel added: “None of our family members were aware or counseled ahead of the decision. It’s a sad day for our family and our fans. In 2017, we came together in Chippewa Falls to celebrate our brewery’s 150th anniversary. It was the defining moment of my career in beer.”

In 1988, the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. was sold to Miller Brewing Co., now Molson Coors. The brewery employs some 120 people, including in the Leinie Lodge bar, which will continue to operate.

— Leader-Telegram of Eau Claire