Windom Woman Fatally Shot, Police Say Burglary Suspect May Be Connected

Jul 25

A 70-year-old woman died in a shooting in the southwestern Minnesota town of Windom early Wednesday morning, authorities said.

It’s believed the fatal shooting is connected to a nearby burglary involving a 38-year-old man, who was later taken into custody, according to a media release from the Windom Police Department.

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Windom officers were dispatched just after 5 a.m. on July 23 to the 1400 block of 12th Avenue for a report of a shooting. When officers arrived, they found the woman suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers rendered aid until Windom Ambulance arrived and transported her to Windom Area Health, where she later died.

Roughly ten minutes later, at 5:28 a.m., officers were called to the 1200 block of River Road after a report that a man had broken into a home and was found inside the bathroom. Police responded and arrested a 38-year-old man at the scene. He was taken to Windom Area Health to be treated for injuries sustained during the incident, then booked into the Cottonwood County Jail on burglary charges.

Authorities say they believe the shooting and the break-in are related but police said there is no ongoing threat to the public.

The Windom Police Department was assisted by the Cottonwood County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and Windom Ambulance.

UPDATE | Saturday, July 26

Jamie Lee Voelker, of Windom, was taken into custody and transported to Windom Area Health for treatment for injuries that occurred from the incident. After treatment, Voelker was transported to the Cottonwood County Jail. The victim of the shooting, Kathryn Lynn Voelker, of Windom, was transported to Windom Area Health and later died from her injuries.

Jamie Lee Voelker was charged with 2nd-degree murder with intent and another charge of 2nd-degree murder without intent-while committing a felony.

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