PINE ISLAND — Authorities in southeastern Minnesota say the two college students who died in an apparent murder-suicide had been acquaintances since elementary school.

Olmsted County Sheriff David Mueller said they believe 19-year-old Nicholas Roecker fatally shot his longtime friend, 18-year-old Kayla Koranda, before taking his own life near Pine Island Monday.

Mueller said family members tell investigators Koranda was visiting Roecker, who was dealing with depression. Koranda was found dead and Roecker was found wounded by family members in a shed at Roecker’s home in New Haven Township.

Roecker died at a Rochester hospital. Roecker attended the University of Minnesota Duluth and Koranda went to the Twin Cities campus. The schools have been on winter break. Both graduated from Lourdes High School in Rochester last year. They also attended a Catholic grade school together in Rochester.