COTTAGE GROVE, Minn. — Two people were found dead Wednesday morning, November 4, in an apparent murder-suicide at Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park, prompting a law enforcement response and temporary closures of several public facilities. Officers responded to a report of shots fired inside the park at approximately 6:10 a.m. Upon arriving, they encountered a witness who reported a shooting. Officers subsequently located two people suffering from gunshot wounds. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said preliminary findings indicate the two people knew each other and that the incident was not a random act of violence. Authorities said there was no active threat to the surrounding community. Responding officers secured the scene as investigators began examining the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Although the incident has been described as an apparent murder-suicide, that characterization remains preliminary. The information released did not identify either person, describe their specific relationship or establish publicly which person investigators believe fired the shots. Authorities also have not released a detailed account of what happened before officers arrived. The sheriff’s office acknowledged the impact of the deaths on those connected to the people involved and on the broader community. “Our thoughts and hearts go out to the family, the community, and all those affected by domestic violence,” the agency said in its release. The statement’s reference to domestic violence did not include further information about the relationship between the two people or any history involving them. Those details remain undisclosed, and investigators’ statement that the individuals knew each other should not be interpreted as confirmation of a particular relationship. Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park remained closed until further notice following the incident. Authorities said the scene was contained to the park, despite the broader effect on nearby public operations. No reopening time was included in the information released. The Washington County Service Center also was closed for the remainder of Wednesday. Cottage Grove City Hall and the HERO Center temporarily closed from approximately 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. before reopening. The different closure schedules mean that the reopening of the city facilities did not signal that the park or county service center had resumed normal operations. Located at 9653 Keats Avenue South, Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park encompasses approximately 515 acres. Washington County describes the property as a landscape of wooded ravines, hills, prairie and clearings. Its public amenities include hiking and paved trails, a fishing pier, picnic facilities and a playground. The investigation-related closure affects access to a park normally used for a range of outdoor recreation. The response involved Cottage Grove police and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Minnesota State Patrol, St. Paul Park police, Oakdale police, Woodbury police and Cottage Grove Fire, according to MN CRIME’s reporting on the agencies’ announcement. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office will be responsible for identifying the two people and notifying their next of kin. Their names had not been released in the information available for this article. Questions about the events leading to the shooting, the individuals’ relationship and the final findings concerning the deaths remain unanswered. The sheriff’s office said additional information would be released as it becomes available. Sources: Washington County Sheriff’s Office release supplied for publication; MN CRIME’s November 4 report; Washington County’s official park information. Closure and investigation information reflects the initial announcement and may change.