Apple Valley Killer Was Not Prohibited From Owning Gun: Cops

APPLE VALLEY, MN — Police say a man who killed two family members before taking his own life at his house in Apple Valley Saturday suffered from "untreated mental health symptoms for most of his adult life." Investigators believe that Alexander Petrovich, 27, killed his mother — 60-year-old Janice Petrovich — and his brother — 23-year-old Jonathan Petrovich — before fatally shooting himself.

All three lived in a home on the 13600 block of Upper Elkwood Court. Officers have responded to that house for a variety of calls over the years, but nothing that involved violence.

Previous calls for service include assistance in a medical emergency (2019), damage to property (2017) and an animal complaint (2017).

Alexander ended his own life with the same firearm he used to kill his family, police said. It’s unknown how he came to possess the weapon, but Alexander was not prohibited from owning one, according to investigators.

Mental health challenges likely contributed to the violence in the Petrovich home, according to police.

"There is no way to know if intervention would have prevented this tragedy," authorities said in a news release Thursday. "But it’s important to know there are several resources available in Dakota County."

"By releasing this detailed account of the incident, it is the department’s desire to dispel rumor, reassure the community of their safety, and provide enough detail for our community to begin the healing process."

Police provided the following mental health resource information:

The Crisis Response Unit (CRU) is available 24/7 at (952) 891-7171. The unit is staffed by dedicated professionals specially trained in crisis intervention. Available by phone or face-to-face, the CRU will work to stabilize the immediate mental health crisis and provide referral services for appropriate follow-on care.

Beyond the CRU, the Minnesota Crisis Text Line can be used to communicate with a trained crisis counselor. Text “Home” to 741741 to connect. Lastly, the National Hope Hotline for Youth Crisis and Suicide can be reached at: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784- 2433).