Suspect in custody following shooting death on St. Paul's east side

One man is dead and another is in custody following a shooting in broad daylight Tuesday on St. Paul’s east side outside a strip mall near Lake Phalen.

The suspect was arrested about two blocks north of the scene following a short foot-chase by police, who also found a handgun during the early stages of the investigation.

“As far as where it was, if he had it on him, if he threw it, all those little details will come out,” said St. Paul police Sgt Mike Ernster.

The strip mall where the shooting took place, in the 1300 block of Maryland Ave., has several businesses, including East Side Liquor, a tobacco store, a hairdresser, and a Hmong market.

Police are still searching for a motive in the shooting, which was first reported at 12:30 P.M. Tuesday.

The victim was the only person who was hurt.

The victim died after being taken to Regions Hospital, while the suspect remains in custody and is expected to be charged with second degree murder.

“I know there were people present (at the strip mall), and we’re talking the second week of school, right?” said Ernster. “We’re also talking mid-day. It’s a very busy area. When a shooting happens like this, bullets tend to fly indiscriminately. They could hit anything.
We’re lucky no one else was injured.”

Names are not released, and the age of the suspect has not been determined.

Ernster said the victim is an adult male, and it’s not known if the two knew each other.

This is the 17th reported homicide of 2024 in St. Paul.

A year ago at this time, St. Paul police reported 24 homicides in the city.