In Loving Memory of Jennifer Sue Marsaw and Marzai Andrew Dawson
With hearts weighed down by grief and disbelief, a community mourns the devastating loss of a mother and her young son—two lives taken far too soon in a tragedy that has left an unfillable void. In Anoka County, the names Jennifer Sue Marsaw, 44, and her beloved 5-year-old son, Marzai Andrew Dawson, will forever be remembered with love, sorrow, and deep reverence.
In the quiet hours of the night, around 12:50 a.m., authorities were called to a residence on Ryan Place following reports of a shooting. What they discovered upon arrival was a scene of unimaginable heartbreak. Jennifer was found inside the home, her life already gone. Nearby, young Marzai was found gravely injured, clinging to life. Despite the desperate efforts of paramedics who rushed him to the hospital, he, too, sadly passed away.
Jennifer Marsaw was more than a victim—she was a mother, a woman of strength, and a source of love and care to those around her. Her life was intertwined with the joy and responsibility of raising her son, a role she carried with devotion. Those who knew her speak of her resilience, her kindness, and the deep love she had for her child.
And Marzai… just five years old, full of innocence, curiosity, and promise. A child whose laughter once filled rooms, whose presence brought light into the lives of those around him. His life, though heartbreakingly short, was meaningful beyond words. He was deeply loved, and that love will never fade.
The circumstances surrounding their passing are painful and complex. Authorities have taken a suspect, identified as Irving Van Marsaw of Minneapolis, into custody. Investigators have indicated that the incident was not random, but rather a deeply personal tragedy. While the legal process continues and investigations unfold, no outcome can restore what has been lost.
Law enforcement agencies, including local police, sheriff’s deputies, and forensic teams, continue their work to uncover every detail. Yet beyond the investigation lies a grieving family, a shocked neighborhood, and a community struggling to come to terms with the loss of two precious lives.
This tragedy serves as a painful reminder of the fragility of life and the devastating consequences of violence within spaces that should be safe and filled with love. A home, meant to be a place of comfort, became the setting of unimaginable sorrow.
As we remember Jennifer and Marzai, we choose to focus not on the violence that took them, but on the love that defined them. A mother’s bond with her child is one of the most powerful forces in this world—and even in death, that bond remains unbroken.
Their memories will live on in the hearts of those who loved them—in every story shared, every tear shed, and every moment of silence held in their honor. Jennifer’s strength and Marzai’s innocence will never be forgotten.
May their souls rest in eternal peace. And may those left behind find strength, comfort, and healing in the love that surrounds them and the memories that will forever remain.









