Koltyn Wayne Bartnes, a 3-year-old boy from Detroit Lakes, was fatally shot by his father in a murder-suicide inside their home on County Road 113 in Holmesville Township, Becker County, Minnesota, northeast of Detroit Lakes, on or before March 30 2026.
Koltyn was shot in the back while asleep in bed, and his father, 45-year-old Gene Russell Bartnes, then lay down next to him and shot himself in the chest. The bodies were discovered around 12:39 p.m. on Monday March 30 when Gene’s brother went to check on him after he failed to show up for work. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner ruled Koltyn’s death a homicide and Gene’s a suicide.
The home on County Road 113 in Holmesville Township is a rural residence where the family lived, and Gene left three suicide notes—one addressed to Koltyn’s mother Kristi Frazier, one for law enforcement, and one offering an apology. Koltyn’s mother learned from police that her son was shot in the back while sleeping and that Gene then crawled into bed beside him before taking his own life. The discovery by Gene’s brother led to deputies arriving and confirming the murder-suicide in this quiet rural part of Becker County.
Koltyn Wayne Bartnes was remembered by family as a sweet, bubbly little boy who loved feeding birds, visiting his grandpas’ farms, and playing with animals. He was a huge fan of Spider-Man, enjoyed watching Raww Fishing on his tablet, and loved riding dirt bikes.
His grandmother described him as loving, caring, and always smiling, bringing people together with his beautiful smile and cheerful energy. Koltyn’s family has shared that he was the light of their lives and that his loss has left an irreplaceable void.
The Becker County and Detroit Lakes community has been left in profound grief over the murder-suicide on County Road 113 in Holmesville Township, with residents expressing sorrow over the violent loss of a young child in a rural home. Family and friends have shared heartfelt tributes while local networks offer support to Koltyn’s mother and surviving siblings.
The Becker County Sheriff’s Office and investigators continue their review of the March 30 2026 incident on County Road 113 in Holmesville Township, with the case classified as a murder-suicide. No additional suspects are being sought, and the investigation has focused on the sequence of events inside the home. Authorities have urged the public to respect the family’s privacy while they grieve the loss of Koltyn and Gene Bartnes.
The Detroit Lakes and Becker County communities continue to honor the memory of Koltyn Wayne Bartnes with support for his grieving family following the tragic events on County Road 113 in Holmesville Township. As the investigation concludes, the focus remains on remembering the joyful 3-year-old whose life ended far too soon in this rural Minnesota home on or before March 30 2026. Local resources for grief support are available for those affected by the murder-suicide in Holmesville Township.
