Father, daughter identified in Rochester shooting
Rochester police have identified the man who allegedly killed his 9-year-old daughter Sunday as Bradley James Higgins.
Police say the 49-year-old killed his daughter Mackenzie Higgins during a weekend visit before turning the gun on himself. Rochester Police Lt. Casey Moilanen says officers had previous contact with Higgins, who suffered from mental illness.
Moilanen declined to comment on the weapon used in the incident.
Bradley Higgins and the girl's mother divorced four years ago, Moilanen said. He had lived with his brother for the last month.
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
Both bodies were found Sunday afternoon in the basement of a house on the city's northwest side where Bradley Higgins lived. Relatives upstairs called police after hearing noise from the basement, police said.
The girl spent time between that address and her mother's house, which is also in Rochester, according to Moilanen.
The Stewartville School District, where the girl attended school, has activated its crisis plan.
It was the first murder of the year in Rochester.