Shooting motive remains unclear

Cloquet police say they still haven’t established a clear motive for the shooting at a hotel that left three people dead in that city on Jan. 8.

Police chief Derek Randall said Monday they also haven’t found any connections between the two victims and the man suspected of killing them at the Super 8 hotel before taking his own life.

Investigators are continuing to focus on digital evidence obtained at the scene and are awaiting a final autopsy report for the suspect, including toxicology results.

That report is expected in four to six weeks, Randall said.

“We expect these findings to help us understand the incident better,” Randall wrote in a news release, saying detectives “continue to pursue all leads and avenues of inquiry to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the events that transpired.”

Police were called to the Super 8 hotel in Cloquet just after 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 8.

A hotel employee, 22-year-old Shellby Marie Trettel of Cloquet, was found with a gunshot wound to the head inside the building. She later died at a Duluth hospital.

A second victim, 35-year-old Patrick Jeffery Roers of Deer River, was found dead in a vehicle in the parking lot with multiple gunshot wounds.

The suspect, 32-year-old Nicholas Elliot Lenius of Ramsey, was found outside with a self-inflicted gunshot wound and a weapon near his body.

Investigators believe both men were guests at the motel. Police said Lenius’ pickup was facing Roers’ truck in the lot.

Search warrants filed after the shooting indicated that investigators were looking at Lenius’ cell phone and a camera in his vehicle. Lenius reportedly talked with someone identified as his supervisor during the incident.

Randall said the investigation is focused on examining the digital evidence obtained from the scene.

“We remain committed to transparency and justice,” Randall said. “We will provide additional updates as soon as we get more information and after consulting with our detectives and the county attorney’s office.”

“I thank the media and the community for their patience, cooperation, and support during this challenging time. Your understanding and help are vital as we strive to understand this matter.”

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Fundraiser

Friends are holding a pancake fundraiser for Shellby Trettel’s coworker, Kelly, from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, Feb. 11 at Heather’s Cafe at 1304 Cloquet Ave. Kelly was a new employee training with Shellby the night of the shooting, according to a social media post about the fundraiser, and has been struggling in the aftermath. All proceeds will go to help support her. There is a suggested $10 donation for two pancakes, sausage and a drink. Call 218-499-5561 to order takeout.

— Pine Knot News