Son, suspect in engaged Shakopee couple's beating death, kills self

A Shakopee couple were found beaten to death in their house late Monday, and the man's son suspected in the slayings fatally shot himself in Waseca during a standoff with police hours later.

Friends and family identified the victims as Terry Weimer, 68, and Renee Ahrens, 67. The retired substitute teachers were engaged to be married.

Shakopee Police Chief Jeff Tate said police were called shortly after 11 p.m. Monday to the tan split-level home in the 1100 block of Dakota Street after family members of the woman were concerned for her welfare. Police used a spare key to enter and found the bodies in the basement. Tate said the couple had been "beaten pretty badly."

"Brutal is probably a good word to describe the scene that the officers found," Tate said.

A 2009 white Honda Accord belonging to the woman was missing, and police immediately suspected Weimer's 40-year-old son. Police tracked him to his Waseca apartment building, where he barricaded himself inside his room with a gun. After a 2½-hour standoff, he shot himself around noon.

Tate said police are not looking for any other suspects. He declined to confirm the identities of the victims or suspect. Records show a 40-year-old Adam Weimer once lived in the home.

"This incident is very, very sad, but an isolated one. This is a safe neighborhood and safe community," Tate said. "This incident leaves us with more question marks than answers."

The son has a criminal history — court records show him with convictions for theft, drunken driving and assault. Tate said the son has lived at the couple's home in the past, and police believe he still has belongings there. Tate said there have been a "handful" of calls for service at the Shakopee home, but "nothing related to this case."

"This is a very difficult day for a large group of people," Tate said. "It is unfortunate. We do see domestic violence in all kinds of forms."

By midday Tuesday, a few officers were coming and going from the house, which was cordoned off with yellow police tape. In front was an evidence vehicle from the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Records show Terry Weimer bought the home — with a well-kept lawn, a stone fountain in front and Christmas lights still up along the roof — in 1996.

Neighbor Ken Theis said he and Terry Weimer talked just last week. Theis said the couple would invite him over on occasion, but he hadn't taken them up on their offers.

Theis said Terry Weimer told him he had a troubled son who would stop by asking for money.

Terry Weimer and Ahrens both were retired after working as substitute teachers in the Twin Cities area, said Glenn Ahrens, a former brother-in-law of Renee Ahrens who kept in touch with her even after she and his brother divorced.

"She was an unbelievable person, so full of life," said Glenn Ahrens, who lives in the Seattle area. "She was just someone that everybody liked."

Glenn Ahrens described the two as "a wonderful couple. They loved kids. That's why they taught. It's like it's not real. Having someone … so vibrant, to have that stolen, I just can't comprehend it."

karen.zamora@startribune.com • 612-673-4647