Investigation underway after police shooting in Belle Plaine; 1 dead

BELLE PLAINE, Minn. — St. Paul police officers shot a person in Belle Plaine Thursday morning, authorities said.

The person is dead, the St. Paul Police Department said, though it did not confirm officers fired the fatal shot. It happened around 6:30 a.m.

Family identified the man killed as 29-year-old Seantrell Murdock, who they say leaves behind four kids and was on his way to work when the shooting occurred. Murdock's family members are hoping for answers, but said they will wait for the investigation to play out.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said it was responding to a use of force in the area.

The police shooting was connected to a killing in St. Paul's Lowertown neighborhood on Wednesday, the department said.

Police earlier said an investigation was underway near Meridian and Prairie streets south. There is no threat to the public at this time, police say, but the public is advised to avoid the area during the active investigation.

Law enforcement closed off a perimeter encompassing St. John's Lutheran Church and some sourrounding homes.

Neighbors tell WCCO they were just getting up for the day and sending their kids off to school when they heard sirens, followed by a helicopter landing on the street.

"I'm super happy with the police presence and it feels like they had a really good handle on the situation," said resident Jessica Mutunga. "Just hoping that it's not a reoccurrence or something that would happen on a regular basis here."

Belle Plaine is located about 44 miles southwest of Minneapolis.

This is a developing story. Check back on WCCO for more.