HANSKA — Randy Thomas Zimmerman was sentenced Oct. 5 to two consecutive life sentences for the November 2025 killings of Justin Reinarts and Tabitha Trescott at their Hanska home.
Zimmerman, 46, of Courtland, was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder in Brown County District Court. He was committed to the Minnesota Correctional Facility in St. Cloud to serve his sentences for life, with 345 days credit for time already served. According to the sentencing order, three other first-degree murder charges, two second-degree murder charges, first-degree burglary and second-degree assault charges were dismissed.
The order also allows 30 days to determine and settle the restitution owed to the victims’ families.
The convictions stem from the Nov. 2, 2025 shootings of Reinarts and Trescott, whom authorities said Zimmerman killed with a shotgun after entering their home.
According to the criminal complaint, Trescott’s 13-year-old son called 911 after hearing an argument and a gunshot. The boy told authorities that Zimmerman had broken into the home and shot his mother. Authorities also reported that Zimmerman pointed the shotgun at the boy and ordered him back into his room.
Zimmerman and Trescott had previously been in a relationship and prosecutors pursued a first-degree murder charge in Trescott’s death based on an alleged past pattern of domestic abuse.
Zimmerman was initially charged with second-degree murder. A grand jury later indicted him on nine felony counts, including first-degree premeditated murder, first-degree felony murder, second-degree intentional murder, first-degree burglary and second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon.
In his plea agreement, Zimmerman pleaded guilty to first-degree felony murder in Reinarts’ death and first-degree murder involving a past pattern of domestic abuse in Trescott’s death. Both convictions carried mandatory life sentences, with the court determining whether they would be served concurrently or consecutively.
After the shootings, Zimmerman fled Minnesota and was later located in Iowa. During an attempted traffic stop, he reportedly fired at an officer, who was not injured. Zimmerman was arrested following a pursuit that lasted approximately 12 hours.