TLDR
Prosecutors in Anoka County have charged Irving Van Marsaw, 53, with two counts of second-degree murder after his estranged partner, Jennifer Sue Marsaw, and her 5-year-old son, Marzai Andrew Dawson, were fatally shot in their Lexington, Minnesota, home, according to a criminal complaint. Investigators allege the killings occurred only hours after Jennifer told Irving she intended to take him to trial over earlier conduct. The case now moves from years of reported domestic abuse and civil protection orders into the criminal courts.
Reported Pattern of Abuse and Protection Orders
The criminal complaint, cited by Law & Crime, states that one of Jennifer’s daughters reported that Irving had previously “assaulted” her mother and “threatened to kill” her, including as recently as March 3rd. Court records, as described in that reporting, document what authorities characterize as a pattern of abusive behavior.
According to regional outlet KSTP, Jennifer petitioned for a restraining order in November 2025, telling the court that Irving “threatens to hurt me if I don’t tell him where I live” and “has threatened to kill my children and myself.” A second order was reportedly requested in February, but records show she asked both to be withdrawn about a month after each was granted.
Timeline of the Lexington Shootings
The complaint states that on March 17th, Jennifer told Irving to leave the house after an argument in which he allegedly held a knife. Her daughter later reported hearing a phone call around 7 p.m. in which Jennifer said he “better believe she was going to trial,” and he responded “Bet” before hanging up.
After midnight, the daughter walked outside briefly with two siblings. When they returned to the home on the 9300 block of Ryan Place, she heard several “pops.” A younger brother reportedly ran inside, then came out screaming that their mother and little brother had been shot, and the children went to a neighbor’s home to call 911.
Arrest, Autopsy Findings, and Next Steps
Centennial Lakes police officers arrived around 12:50 a.m. and, based on prior contacts and the name “Irving” given by the daughter, identified Irving as the suspect, according to the complaint. Officers found Jennifer with apparent gunshot wounds to the chest and 5-year-old Marzai still breathing with gunshot wounds to the chest and left arm; the child was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Investigators say officers quickly established a perimeter and, with a K9 unit, located Irving hiding in a wooded area a few blocks away, taking him into custody at 1:33 a.m. A 9 mm handgun was later recovered across the street behind the residence. The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Jennifer died from a contact-range gunshot wound to the chest and that Marzai died from a contact-range gunshot wound to the back, with spent bullets and an unspent round recovered near their bodies.
According to the complaint, Irving allegedly made several statements in custody suggesting the incident occurred “in the heat of passion.” He faces two counts of second-degree murder, which in Minnesota typically cover intentional killings without premeditation or deaths caused during certain felonies, depending on how prosecutors frame the case at trial.
Court records cited by Law & Crime indicate that Irving had an initial appearance scheduled and is set to return to court on April 14th. Future hearings will address issues such as discovery, any potential plea negotiations, and whether the case proceeds to a jury trial, where the evidence and competing narratives about the relationship and the night of the shootings will be tested.
This case highlights a documented history of reported domestic violence, prior civil court intervention, and ultimately lethal gunfire inside a family home. The criminal proceedings now underway will determine legal responsibility and sentence length if Irving is convicted.
