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The family of the man who killed four people at a Minneapolis sign company says he struggled for years with mental illness, AP reported.

Police said Friday that Andrew J. Engeldinger of Minneapolis opened fire at Accent Signage Systems just hours after being let go from the company Thursday morning.

His family says in a statement released through the National Alliance on Mental Illness that they aren't trying to excuse Engeldinger's actions, but perhaps partially explain them.

Alliance director Sue Abderholden says the family had approached the group for help about two years ago. That's about when
Engeldinger's uncle says his nephew broke off contact with his family.

Abderholden says Engeldinger's parents took a class on understanding and dealing with mental illness. But she says they couldn't convince Engeldinger to seek help.