MINNEAPOLIS, MN — A Tragic Loss That Shakes a Community: Remembering Kinsley Prinsen and Scott Devery
In the early hours of Monday morning, a heartbreaking and incomprehensible tragedy unfolded in a quiet Minneapolis neighborhood that has left a family shattered and a community in mourning. Authorities confirmed that 50-year-old Scott Joseph Devery fatally shot his 2-year-old daughter, Kinsley Prinsen, before taking his own life in an apparent murder-suicide, all in the presence of his partner and Kinsley’s mother, Trisha Ann Prinsen.
The unimaginable incident took place at a family home where love, laughter, and the everyday joys of parenting had once filled the air. In mere moments, that warmth was replaced with unspeakable grief and horror. The trauma of witnessing such a devastating act is one no parent should ever have to endure.
Police responded to reports of a shooting just after 2:30 a.m., where they found both Scott Devery and young Kinsley dead at the scene. Trisha, who had been present during the incident, was physically unharmed but is now left carrying the unbearable weight of sorrow and loss.
At just two years old, Kinsley Prinsen was a beacon of innocence. Described by family and friends as a joyful, curious child with bright eyes and a contagious giggle, Kinsley loved books, dancing to music, and cuddling with her mother. Her short life was full of promise and light — one that should have been nurtured and protected, not cut short by violence.
Scott Devery, who had no publicly known history of violence, leaves behind a legacy now darkened by an unfathomable act. The motive behind his actions remains under investigation, though authorities believe it was a domestic situation that turned deadly. Mental health concerns are suspected, but until more details emerge, the community is left grappling with confusion and heartbreak.
The Minneapolis Police Department and child protection services are conducting a thorough investigation, and grief counselors have been made available to those affected. Friends and neighbors have expressed deep sadness, with many saying they never imagined something so horrific could happen within their close-knit community.
In the wake of this tragedy, family members and loved ones are rallying around Trisha Ann Prinsen, who is now navigating the harrowing reality of losing her only child and her partner in one devastating night. The strength she has shown in the immediate aftermath is nothing short of heroic, but the road ahead will be long and filled with unimaginable pain.
A candlelight vigil for Kinsley is being organized by local residents and is expected to draw a large crowd of mourners, many of whom have been touched by her story and the reminder of how precious — and fragile — life can be. Community leaders and child advocacy organizations are also using this moment to call attention to the importance of mental health awareness, domestic violence prevention, and support systems for families in crisis.
As Minneapolis grieves, it also reflects. There is a deep and growing sense of urgency to understand how to prevent such tragedies in the future — how to identify signs of distress, how to intervene, and how to ensure that no other family must suffer such a soul-crushing loss.
Kinsley Prinsen’s name will not be forgotten. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew her, and in those who stand with her mother now, offering comfort, support, and solidarity in the face of overwhelming sorrow.
May she rest in peace, and may we all work toward a world where every child is safe, and every cry for help is heard.
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