NEW ULM, MN – A close-knit southern Minnesota community is mourning the loss of two lives after a pre-dawn home invasion left a mother and her new partner dead, drawing attention to the grief of family members and the children left behind.
The tragedy unfolded early Sunday morning when, according to authorities, a man entered the home of his former girlfriend. The woman, a 32-year-old mother, was with her new partner, Justin Reinert, 50, a retired firefighter known for his years of service and dedication to his neighbors. Both became targets of deadly violence that would shake the foundation of their household.
With children sleeping in adjacent rooms, investigators say the woman and Reinert were gunned down with a shotgun in an upstairs bedroom. The shock of the moment reverberated through the home as one of the woman’s children, awakened by the commotion, was forced to face the alleged gunman. The child, police say, was ordered back into his room at gunpoint, his mother’s final moments echoing through hurried commands and desperate cries.
After the assailant fled, the child’s quick-thinking and courage shone through as he dialed 911, providing dispatchers with details police say were crucial to a fast response and ensuing manhunt. Officers arrived to discover a devastating scene—the two adults killed, and the children inside traumatized but physically unharmed.
Neighbors and family friends are left reeling at the loss of Reinert, remembered by many in the area for his heroism as a firefighter and community volunteer. Friends described the slain mother as a devoted parent who worked tirelessly to support her children and build a new life after past hardship. The tragic circumstances have prompted an outpouring of support for the children who witnessed and survived the devastating attack. Local organizations have mobilized to offer counseling and resources, aware of the immense trauma faced by the young witnesses.
As authorities tracked the suspect out of state and into Iowa, community members grappled with the sudden void left by the victims’ violent deaths. Meanwhile, the children, now in the care of loved ones, must endure a future forever changed by the actions of a single night.
The suspect, identified as Randy Zimmerman, was apprehended in Iowa following a high-speed pursuit and remains in custody. He faces multiple charges, including murder, and has an extensive criminal background that authorities say includes previous convictions for assault and burglary.
Behind the legal proceedings and police investigations, however, the focus in Brown County has shifted to honoring the memory of those lost—and ensuring that the children left behind have the support they need to heal. Candlelight vigils and online tributes have begun, as friends and family navigate shock and sorrow in the wake of a crime that claimed two valued lives and deeply wounded a community.
The investigation remains ongoing, but for those most intimately affected, the priority has become care, remembrance, and rebuilding in the shadow of loss.