4 kids survive murder-suicide in Ramsey, Minn.

RAMSEY, Minn. (KMSP) - A youth pastor's fundraiser for 4 kids who witnessed and survived an apparent murder-suicide in Ramsey, Minnesota has garnered more than $38,000 in 24 hours.

On Friday night, police responded to a call on the 16200 block of Azurite Street Northwest around 11 p.m. after dispatchers heard screaming and crying over the phone. Officers found Courtney Marie Monson and Bryce William Monson dead inside. Police said Courtney had sought refuge in a room in the basement with 3 of her 4 kids when Bryce shot her multiple times with a handgun, then shot himself.

Neighbor Kathy Anderson heard the screams for help inside the Monson family home, then saw the young children flee as if their lives depended on it.

“They just ran out and took off to their neighbors,” Anderson said. “There were 4 of them. The oldest was carrying the youngest baby, the daughter.”

Tyler Roland, a youth pastor at Hope Fellowship, started a GoFundMe page called "Courtney's Legacy" for the children, Ethan, 12, Jack, 9, Bennett, 3, and McKinley, 2. Roland said the money will be allocated to savings account under the custodial care of the Courtney's mother, Kris. 

"Courtney Monson was a loving mother, daughter, sister,  cousin, friend, workout buddy and so much more," he wrote on the website. "She strived to provide them with the best life possible! It is our aim to help that legacy she hoped for, live on."

GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/courtneyslegacy

"The funds will help offset the cost for a funeral and to aid in allowing the kids to remain in their sports and aid grandma and grandpa in adding 4 kids into their home," Roland wrote.

The incident is being investigated by Ramsey Police, the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office and the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office.