In the early morning hours of March 18, 2026, a tragedy unfolded in a home in Lexington, a community in Anoka County, Minnesota, that claimed the lives of 5-year-old Marzai Andrew Dawson and his mother. The young boy and his 44-year-old mother, Jennifer Sue Marsaw, were fatally shot in what authorities have described as a double homicide.
The harrowing incident began to unfold around 12:52 a.m. when law enforcement received a 911 call from one of Marzai's older siblings.
The child reported that their mother and brother had been shot by a man they identified as "Irving." Several of the older children had been out for a walk and, upon returning home, heard loud "pops." One of the children then saw a man, identified as Irving Van Marsaw, exiting the residence holding a handgun before fleeing the scene. The children then discovered their mother and young brother grievously wounded inside the home and ran to a neighbor's house to call for help.
When police and paramedics arrived at the home on Ryan Place, they found Jennifer Marsaw deceased from a gunshot wound to the chest. Young Marzai was found with multiple gunshot wounds and was rushed to a nearby hospital, but tragically succumbed to his injuries. An autopsy would later confirm that Marzai died from a gunshot wound to the back.
A search of the area was immediately launched, and with the assistance of a K-9 unit, authorities located the suspect, 53-year-old Irving Van Marsaw of Minneapolis, hiding in a wooded area near the home. He was taken into custody and treated at a hospital for injuries sustained during his apprehension. Investigators later recovered a 9mm handgun in the woods along his suspected path of flight. Authorities have stated the incident was not a random act of violence.
Irving Van Marsaw, who was identified as Jennifer Marsaw's estranged partner, has since been charged with two counts of second-degree murder with intent. Court documents revealed a history of domestic violence, with allegations that Van Marsaw had previously assaulted Jennifer and had threatened to kill her earlier in the month. Just the day before the shooting, she had reportedly made him leave their home after an argument that involved a knife. While in custody, Van Marsaw allegedly made statements suggesting the killings occurred "in the heat of passion." During his initial court appearance, a judge set his bail at $5 million, citing his extensive and violent criminal history.
