HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 09-22 Maplewood man charged with fatally shooting wife STAR TRIBUNE EAST METRO �
Maplewood man charged with fatally
shooting wife
Larry Todd Tennin fled after the shooting and was arrested in the
Chicago area earlier this month.
By Chao Xiong(http://www.startribune.com/chao-xiong/10646266/)Star Tribune
SEPTEMBER 22,2015—11:24PM
Larry T.Tennin terrorized his wife throughout the entirety of their relationship,and
followed through with his threats by fatally shooting her last month,charges said.
Tennin,31,who is also known as Todd Larry Tennin,was chazged Monday in Ramsey
County District Court with second-degree murder for shooting April Tennin,41,in the
mouth.
The shooting occurred about G a.m.on Aug.?3 following a drawn-out argument.Tennin
fled their Maplewood townhouse,and was arrested earlier this month at a cousin's
home in the Chicago area.
The criminal complaint also alleges that Tennin had made many threats to kill his wife
and her children,regularly abused them and attacked April Tennin so brutally last year
that she told a friend there was"blood all over the room"and"it looked like a murder
scene."
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According to the complaint:April Tennin's 16-year-old daughter and her boyfriend
overheard the argument and shooting.The daughter and April Tennin's 12-year-old son g
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found her body. §,� ": :�
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"My mom's dead in the bathroom!"the girl told a 911 dispatcher. �
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The girl identified Larry Tennin as the shooter.
The girl's boyfriend told police that Larry and April Tennin had argued the previous
night.Larry Tennin left to go drink with friends,and argued with his wife over the
phone.
A drunk Tennin returned home early in the morning and continued arguing with his
wife,the complaint said.
April Tennin's daughter and the boyfriend told police they heazd the two arguing in the (http://stmedia.startribune.com/images/OS_955689_MURDC
bathroom and heard bumps on the wall as if they were pushing each other around.The M���ESo,n oeanRrn,eNr or coRRecnor,s
complaint didn't specify what the two argued about. Larry Todd Tennin,who is also
known as Todd Larry Tennin,is
"I'm done with this!°Larry Tennin allegedly yelled at one point."Everybody line up!° charged with second-degree
The boyfriend told police he heard Larry Tennin leave the bathroom,enter the master
bedroom,open a closet door and return to the bathroom.
"Bae,stop!Bae,stop!"April Tennin pleaded,using a slang term that affectionately refers
to one's partner.
Larry Tennin continued to push April Tennin,the boyfriend told police.
"No,Bae,I'm sorry!"she pleaded.
Tennin fired one shot and fled,the boyfriend told police.
April Tennin's 12-year-old son told police he retrieved a bloody gun from the bathroom
and placed it in a windowsill because he was afraid that Tennin would return and kill
everyone.
"[The boy]said he had heard Tennin threaten,'If I ever kill your mom,I'm going to kill
the rest of you so there are no witnesses,'"the complaint said.
A medical examiner's report showed that April Tennin died of a gunshot wound to her
head.She also had abrasions on the side of her neck and bruises on her body.After his
arrest,Tennin allegedly said,"I didn't do nothing,man.°
April Tennin met Tennin while he was in prison for an unrelated case,and married hun
in January 2014 at Stillwater prison.Larry Tennin's sister,who worked with April ,
Tennin,introducedthem.
The complaint alleges that Tennin had previously put a gun in April Tennin's mouth and
threatened to kill her.
/www.startribune.com/maplewood-man-charged-with-killing-wife-while-kids-listene... 9/23/2015
Maplewood man charged with killing wife while kids listened - StarTribune.com
On Aug.15 and 19,she sought refuge inside a St.Paul church,the complaint said.The
second time,a church employee locked herself,April Tennin and one of April's children
in a room because Larry Tennin entered the church looking for them.
April Tennin has four children—the youngest,7,and the oldest,22,were not home
when she was killed.
Larry Tennin's record includes convictions for malicious punishment of a child and
second-degree assault,among others.