Two men are dead after a multi-agency SWAT team incident at a White Bear Township home, according to police.
Ramsey County Sheriff's deputies responded to a call of shots fired just before 4 p.m. on New Year's Day on the 5400 block of Centerville Road and immediately activated a multi-agency SWAT team after realizing the shooter was inside the home but his exact location was known.
Commander John Eastham, of the Ramsey's County Sheriff's Office, said some of the people inside the home managed to get out safely on their own, while others inside the home were evacuated by police.
Officers also directed neighbors in the area to stay indoors for their own safety, due to reports of an armed person inside the house.
When officials were able to enter the house several hours later, they found two dead men.
Family identified one of the men as 54-year-old Larry Klimek, a father of three, while AP says the gunman was Larry's 56-year-old brother Lee Klimek, who live in the home with his mother. An annual New Year's Day gathering was underway when the violence unfolded.
Larry Klimek had also worked at Metro Transit for the past five years as both a train and bus operator. Brian Funk, a deputy chief operating officer, described Larry Klimek as a beloved member of the team and mentor to younger employees.
"He really liked and enjoyed being here. You just get that vibe from people, who like coming to work to do more and help others," Funk said. "That was Larry to us."
Metro Transit is providing resources to employees to help them cope with the loss of their co-worker.
Commander Eastham said the BCA is assisting the Ramsey County's Sheriff's Office in an investigation into the cause of the deaths. He said no suspect is being sought and the public is no longer in danger.
