Fundraising Efforts Underway for Victims of Cloquet Shooting

CLOQUET, MN. (Northern News Now) – In the aftermath of the tragic shooting incident that took place on Monday in Cloquet, fundraising initiatives have been launched to support the victims.

Generous Donation from Anchorage Wolverines

Shellby Trettel, a 22-year-old employee at Super 8, received a substantial donation from a group of athletes who frequently stay at the hotel. The Anchorage Wolverines, a junior ice hockey team, had checked out just one day before the unfortunate incident occurred.

Expressing their gratitude, Kade Shea, a player from the Wolverines, praised Trettel’s hospitality, saying, “They were awesome. We spend months on the road, and for them to welcome us with open arms and take care of our every need is amazing. We really appreciate it.”

The Wolverines were in town for a match against the Minnesota Wilderness, and for some team members like Shea, it was a homecoming experience since they hail from the Northland.

Upon hearing about the shooting, Shea fondly recalled Trettel’s kindness and warmth, stating, “It’s just really sad. You saw her, we interacted. She seemed like a good light of a person. And just to see them gone way too early is really really sad.”

Driven by the desire to support Trettel’s family, players, coaches, and local hockey moms associated with the Wolverines team joined hands to raise funds. Their collective effort resulted in a generous donation of $1,600 to Trettel’s GoFundMe campaign.

Inspiring Young Athletes to Be Good Samaritans

According to Wolverines Coach Nick Walters, witnessing such acts of generosity in the face of tragedy might inspire his young players to become not only strong athletes but also good people.

As he emphasized the broader responsibilities of his role, Walters stated, “Part of our job here isn’t only the on-ice stuff, but also the off-ice stuff too. Teaching them how to be a member of the community.”

The lessons learned from such experiences extend beyond the realm of sports, be it scoring goals or achieving personal milestones. The hockey community has a tradition of rallying around each other, lifting each other up when unfortunate events occur.

Support for Patrick Roers

Another victim of the shooting incident, 35-year-old Patrick Roers from Deer River, has also received significant support through his GoFundMe campaign. The campaign has already raised over $13,000 to aid Roers in his recovery.

According to his GoFundMe page, Roers was a guest at the Super 8 and was shot while sitting in his car in the hotel’s parking lot.

The shooting suspect, identified as 32-year-old Nicholas Lenius from Ramsey, tragically took his own life after the incident. The police are currently investigating the motive behind the shooting and whether the suspect had any connection to the victims.

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