William Andrew Grahek, a 22-year-old student from Duluth, MN, was tragically shot and killed on February 14, 2017, in his home located in Duluth's East Hillside neighborhood. Grahek, originally from Centerville, MN, was a junior at the University of Minnesota Duluth, studying computer science and criminology. He was also a specialist with the Duluth-based 312th Army Reserve Engineer Company.
On the day of the incident, Duluth police responded to a report of a shooting at Grahek's
residence around 2 p.m. He was found with gunshot wounds and was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The initial investigation suggested that the shooting might have been related to a home invasion or robbery. Grahek lived in the house with his brother, a UMD engineering student, and a woman who was his best friend.
In the days following the shooting, a 'person of interest' was detained but later released, and no immediate arrests were made. The investigation remained active, with authorities following up on numerous leads. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was also involved in the investigation.
Eventually, five individuals were charged in connection with Grahek's murder. However, detailed descriptions and names of the suspects were not provided in the sources available. The case highlighted the impact of violent crime on the community and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to bring justice to Grahek's family and friends.
Grahek was remembered by his friends and teammates as a charismatic and positive individual who always had a smile on his face. His death deeply affected the University of Minnesota Duluth community, which extended condolences and provided counseling services to students. The St. Paul Police Department, where Grahek's father served as a sergeant, also expressed their deepest sympathies and support for the family during this difficult time.
