"Very Friendly" Couple Found Dead

"HUGO, MN - Two people were shot and killed in an apparent murder-suicide at a town house in Hugo, according to officials from the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

"A 4-year-old boy was at the town house at the time of the shootings, officials said. He was not injured and is being cared for by relatives

"Around 7:40 a.m. today, a family member arrived at the home at 13435 Europa Court, Unit 8, in the Creekview development to babysit the boy and found two people — a 34-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman — had been shot.

"Police would not release the names of those involved or the relationship between the two, but records show that the unit belonged to Michael A. and Sarah A. Mitzuk.

"Michael Mitzuk is the owner of Mitzy's Tattoo Studio in White Bear Lake. He opened the shop in December 2002, according to the shop's Web site.

"He was a popular tenant, said Donna Whitman, the building's landlord and the owner of White Bear Locksmith, which is located a few doors down from Mitzy's. When Mitzuk moved in to the shop — located across U.S. Highway 61 from White Bear Lake City Hall — he brought cases of Krispy Kreme donuts for everyone in the building `to get off on the right foot,` she said.

"White Bear Police Chief Lynne Bankes said Michael Mitzuk made two donations of firearms and shooting accessories to the police department in 2005 and 2006.

"Allison Peper, a former neighbor, said the Mitzuks were `very friendly` and often attended and hosted neighborhood gatherings."

From TwinCities.com...