APPLE VALLEY, Minn. - Police say two young children are in protective custody after their father fatally shot their mother before killing himself in Apple Valley Saturday.

The woman's attorney, Jennifer Macaulay, identifies the couple as Woynshet "Winnie" Woldemariam and Anteneh Tsegaye.

Macaulay says Woldermariam was an "amazing, inspiring" woman who was dedicated to her children. She says Woldermariuam endured years of domestic violence, but for cultural and emotionally reasons didn't report the abuse.

Capt. Mike Marben says relatives of the woman are working with social services to take custody of the children, a 4-year-old boy and 5-year-old girl. Police say the father shot the woman several times in a parking lot Saturday before turning the gun on himself.

Tsegaye's former attorney, Salley Mortenson, says Tsegaye wasn't the bad man some have said he was.

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