Three people, including one child, have been found dead at a daycare for children under the age of five roughly 10 miles from Minneapolis in an apparent murder–suicide, according to police.

The shocking incident took place at a residential neighborhood in the 200 block of Tyler Avenue North at the Brown Bear Childcare center on Wednesday in Hopkins.

Brent Johnson, the Hopkins police chief, said the ‘domestic situation’ happened around 9am and that a man, a woman and a child believed to be theirs were found dead.

The victims were believed to be the daycare owners and appeared to be related, Johnson said, while the perpetrator was thought to be the man. Police are working to determine the weapon used.

At the time, there were seven children inside the daycare. Other than the dead child, all of the children were evacuated safely and without injury. They have since been reunited with their respective parents.

‘There’s no worse scenario than this where you drop off your child somewhere you think is safe and you get that phone call,’ Johnson said during a press conference Wednesday.

Parents were reported to be going in and out of the area near the daycare to reunite with children, according to KARE 11.

Some of the parents asked for privacy, while at least one mother was escorted by firefighters, per the outlet.

The fatal stabbing took place on Wednesday morning at Brown Bear Childcare in Hopkins, about 10 miles west of Minneapolis

A significant police presence was spotted in the 200 block of Tyler Avenue North, where the incident happened

A social media profile for the daycare center said it featured ‘1800 square feet of dedicated play space’

Police said there was no immediate threat to the public, as it was an isolated event, and that an investigation was ongoing. A motive was not immediately known.

Johnson said authorities learned about the incident after one of the daycare’s parents arrived to drop off their children.

When asked if the parent had witnessed what happened, Johnson replied, ‘I believe so.’ 

The Brown Bear daycare was described on a public social media profile as being a licensed home center ‘to help children learn grow.’

It appeared to be running out of a four–bedroom, two–bathroom home that featured ‘1800 square feet of dedicated play space.’

A large law enforcement presence was seen in the area, with police cars and yellow tapes spotted among the commotion.

Tyler Street was blocked off between 2nd Street and Lake Street as part of the investigation, according to FOX9. 

Hopkins police said that the children inside the daycare had been evacuated and reunited with their families

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey noted the ‘critical incident’ during his 2027 budget address on Wednesday and said that he had offered assistance to Hopkins Mayor Patrick Hanlon

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey noted the ‘critical incident’ in Hopkins ahead of his 2027 budget address.

‘While there is not a ton of information yet, I know that our hearts and our prayers are with the people of Hopkins and any families that have been impacted,’ Frey said.

He said he had offered assistance to Hopkins Mayor Patrick Hanlon, and that he had authorized his staff to pull him from the speech in case any assistance had to be provided.

‘The city of Minneapolis stands with Hopkins,’ Frey said. ‘We are not strangers to crisis, and when it takes place, we work together. That’s exactly what we will be doing here.’

The Daily Mail has reached out to Hopkins police for further comment.