Two found dead after apparent murder-suicide in Faribault
Updated Dec. 24, 10 a.m.
Police have identified the two people found dead in the Faribault Chamber of Commerce Friday afternoon.
Faribault police say it appears 61-year-old Richard Larson shot and killed his ex-wife, 59-year-old Barbara Larson, and then killed himself.
They'd divorced two years ago. She had just filed a restraining order against him earlier this week.
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Police Captain Neal Pederson said Barbara Larson was an employee at the chamber, and Richard Larson had retired from the Faribault police department in 2008.
"Not only the police department but community members both knew Richard and Barbara," Pederson said. "We worked with him in the police department. Several of us worked with Barb through the Chamber with different events. They were both active in the community. So they were well known."
In a statement, the Faribault Chamber of Commerce said Barbara had worked there for more than 10 years and was a friendly and gregarious co-worker.
On Friday, officers responded to a call shortly after noon and found a gun at the scene.
"No other chamber employees were present or injured," read a statement from police.
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Rice County Sheriff's Office are assisting local police in the investigation.
Faribault is about 50 miles south of Minneapolis on Interstate Hwy. 35. Its population is about 23,000.