Benefit Fund Established for Children Following Cottage Grove Shooting

In the wake of last week’s shooting in Cottage Grove that left two people dead, there are two children who still need care.

A benefit fund has been established for the two boys whose parents died Oct. 26, when, according to police, Chevel Richard shot and killed his wife, Tensia M. Richard, before shooting himself. He later died at Regions Hospital.

Tensia previously worked at the Woodbury Dunn Bros Coffee and at Dorothy Ann Bakery and Café, said Destiny Martinez, Tensia’s sister-in-law.

Grandparents are taking care of the two boys, Martinez said, and the fund is meant to help them pay for things like diapers and groceries for the children.

“Just the immediate needs,” she told Patch. “The fund is going to take care of what’s most important to (Tensia).”

People can donate at Dunn Bros starting Tuesday, or donate to the Chavelo and Ace Martinez Benefit Fund at any Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union.

The situation has been tough for the family, Martinez said.

“They’re just rallying together to focus on the boys now,” she said.

Martinez called Tensia an “amazing mom.”

A little after 3:30 p.m. last Thursday, Chevel lured Tensia out of Anytime Fitness in Cottage Grove and chased her through the strip mall’s parking lot while shooting at her with a pistol, according to the Star Tribune. She died at the Jimmy John’s on Harkness Avenue. He shot himself in the head, the Star Tribune reported, and died at Regions Hospital.

Cheval had a history of domestic abuse, the Pioneer Press reported.

As for Tensia, family was very important to her, Martinez said.

“And she just loved her boys more than anything,” she said. “We’re going to miss her tremendously."

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