Couple had a 25 year relationship
By Nicholas Backus
Staff Writer
CIRCLE PINES — Police said a Wyoming man shot and killed a Circle Pines woman before killing himself at Village Plaza Apartments in Circle Pines Thursday morning.
The bodies of James Harold Schwartzbauer, 46, and Erica Ann Wilson, 38, were found by Centennial Lakes Police around 8 a.m. Police were dispatched to a domestic call at 7:54, and officers heard gun shots upon arriving at the scene less than two minutes later, said Sergeant Russell Blanck of Centennial Lakes Police.
“It’s in fact a domestic shooting with a handgun, and no suspect is at large,” Blanck said. “There is no continuing danger to the public. It’s an anomaly for Circle Pines.”
It was the first Circle Pines homicide recorded by Centennial Lakes Police in more than 20 years, according to Blanck.
According to a police statement, Wilson moved out of a home the couple shared in Wyoming in an attempt to end her relationship with Schwartzbauer. They were together for 25 years without marrying and had three adult children.
Witnesses at the scene saw a verbal confrontation between Schwartzbauer and Wilson in a parking lot outside the apartment before shots were fired.
Last week, Schwartzbauer was signed into Regions Hospital in St. Paul on a transport hold because of suicidal statements, but was released without being admitted. The Wyoming Police Department removed all guns from Schwartzbauer’s home with the assistance of his grown children. Police are still investigating the origin of the handgun used in the killing and suicide.
“I have never had to respond to something like this,” Blanck said, who has 13 years of experience on the Centennial Lakes force.
Blanck added that authorities quickly established order in the vicinity of the incident, calling in necessary personnel, including the Centennial Fire Department, which helped quarter off the scene for investigators.
Investigations into the crime are ongoing by the Centennial Lakes Police Department, the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office and the Anoka County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The bodies of James Harold Schwartzbauer, 46, and Erica Ann Wilson, 38, were found by Centennial Lakes Police around 8 a.m. Police were dispatched to a domestic call at 7:54, and officers heard gun shots upon arriving at the scene less than two minutes later, said Sergeant Russell Blanck of Centennial Lakes Police.
“It’s in fact a domestic shooting with a handgun, and no suspect is at large,” Blanck said. “There is no continuing danger to the public. It’s an anomaly for Circle Pines.”
It was the first Circle Pines homicide recorded by Centennial Lakes Police in more than 20 years, according to Blanck.
According to a police statement, Wilson moved out of a home the couple shared in Wyoming in an attempt to end her relationship with Schwartzbauer. They were together for 25 years without marrying and had three adult children.
Witnesses at the scene saw a verbal confrontation between Schwartzbauer and Wilson in a parking lot outside the apartment before shots were fired.
Last week, Schwartzbauer was signed into Regions Hospital in St. Paul on a transport hold because of suicidal statements, but was released without being admitted. The Wyoming Police Department removed all guns from Schwartzbauer’s home with the assistance of his grown children. Police are still investigating the origin of the handgun used in the killing and suicide.
“I have never had to respond to something like this,” Blanck said, who has 13 years of experience on the Centennial Lakes force.
Blanck added that authorities quickly established order in the vicinity of the incident, calling in necessary personnel, including the Centennial Fire Department, which helped quarter off the scene for investigators.
Investigations into the crime are ongoing by the Centennial Lakes Police Department, the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office and the Anoka County Medical Examiner’s Office.
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