Shooting Victim From SLP Was a 'Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather'

Reuven Rahamim, 61, the founder of Accent Signage Systems who was killed Thursday in a workplace shooting, called St. Louis Park home.

Rahamim lived on Basswood Road in the Fern Hill Neighborhood. He also attended the Beth El Synagogue, where he was on the board of directors.

City Pages reports that Rahamim's son, Sami Rahamim, expressed his thoughts via Twitter:

What was supposed to be a great weekend has turned into the greatest nightmare I've ever faced. Tell your loved ones how much you they mean. [sic]

Beth El posted on its website that its "community is shocked and devastated by the tragic death of Reuven Rahamim Z"L, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and member of our congregational family."

Beth El Rabbi Alexander Davis said Rahamim was "not just an active member here but a good friend to many."

Steve Hunegs, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas, called Rahamim a "local and beloved Jewish community member" in a statement.

"Reuven was a wonderful family man and deeply committed to his synagogue, community, country, and native Israel," Hunegs wrote.

According to the Star Tribune, Rahamim and four others were shot and killed at around 4:30 p.m. by a man who apparently had just lost his job. The gunman then took his own life. He was dealing with mental illness, the paper reports.

Rahamim's son-in-law told the Associated Press that other members of the family died, but he provided no details.

Four other people were wounded in the shooting.

Fifth District congressman Keith Ellison said in a statement that he is "deeply saddened" by the shootings.

"My thoughts are with the families of those lost," Ellison wrote. "Now is a time for the Minneapolis metropolitan community to come together in mourning and solidarity."

Finance & Commerce offered this profile of Rahamim and his business in July.

Stay with St. Louis Park Patch for any local updates.

See More:

• (POLL) Does Thursday's Minneapolis Shooting Show a Need for More Gun Restrictions?
• Beth El Remembers Congregant Killed in Minneapolis Shooting