Saint Paul police say a suspect is dead following an officer-involved shooting in Belle Plaine on Thursday morning.
Authorities say around 6:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, Saint Paul officers were in Belle Plaine investigating a homicide that took place in Lowertown on Wednesday evening.
The Belle Plaine Police Department confirmed there continued to be police activity that began overnight in the area of Meridian Street South and Prairie Street East.
The Saint Paul homicide victim, an artist who was outside painting a mural, was found dead in an alley outside the Lowertown Lofts Artist Cooperative at 255 E. Kellogg Blvd. on Wednesday.
“One of our members was shot and killed while working on an art project outside of our building. We don’t have a lot of information right now, but we are working closely with the authorities to resolve this tragic event. We ask that our friends and neighbors not speculate about the situation. Our community is in shock and grief as we grapple with the unimaginable.” - Lowertown Lofts Artists Cooperative
“One of our members was shot and killed while working on an art project outside of our building. We don’t have a lot of information right now, but we are working closely with the authorities to resolve this tragic event. We ask that our friends and neighbors not speculate about the situation. Our community is in shock and grief as we grapple with the unimaginable.” - Lowertown Lofts Artists Cooperative
Saint Paul Police Chief Axel Henry said during a press conference Thursday afternoon outside police headquarters that the Lowertown homicide “literally shook our entire community” and that in his over 30 years of police work, it was “one of the most atypical homicides that I’ve seen,” alluding to further evidence being released on the case in the coming days.
Henry called the shooting a “cold-blooded” random act, and said there’s no indication the suspect knew the victim.
Henry said investigation that began immediately after the shooting Wednesday night led to a suspect vehicle, seen leaving the area after the shots rang out. Investigators were able to locate photographs of the suspect driver and the vehicle, which led them to an address on the 100 block of Meridian Street in Belle Plaine. They found the vehicle outside the residence and officers began monitoring the area, with the suspect believed to be inside.
Henry said that a tactical plan was set up for evacuation of the residence but it is still unclear if any other occupants were inside at the time or if they exited previously.
