A former Lutsen resident, a Cook County High School Class of 1975 graduate, Daniel L. Shilts, 55, Brook Park, MN, had a police standoff in Pine County on December 5, after allegedly shooting his ex-wife Dawn Christen, 55, and then killed himself.
An emergency 911 call was made by a woman who said she had received a text message from Christen saying she had been shot by her ex-husband and he was still in the house.
Deputies from Pine and Chisago counties were unable to contact Christen but were able to make contact with Shilts. He refused to leave the house, however, and the Pine County SWAT team made entry. The officers found the wounded Christen in the bathroom. She had been shot in the chest.
Christen was rushed to Essentia – St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth. Information on her condition was not being released.
Pine and Chisago County officers found Shilts in the living room where he was allegedly threatening suicide. Although officers tried to convince Shilts to surrender, after two hours the officers say he shot himself. The deputies began medical aid, but Shilts died at the scene.
It is believed that Shilts broke into a rear door of the house before Christen came home. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating the incident.
Authorities say there was no active restraining or protection order against Shilts at the time of the shooting.
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