Man dies after alley shooting near St. Paul's University Avenue

St. Paul police are asking for the public's help in solving the city's first homicide of the year, which occurred in the Summit-University neighborhood.

Authorities say a man was shot Monday evening in an alley in the 400 block of University Ave. W. at Arundel Street. A private vehicle dropped him off about 8:30 p.m. at Regions Hospital, where he died early Tuesday.

There have been no arrests in the case, and police had no information to share about a possible motive or suspects.

The victim's identity has not been released.

"What we need is the public's help on this," said Sgt. Mike Ernster, a police spokesman.

Ernster urged witnesses to call police with any information, "no matter how big or small."

"We don't have a lot of answers," he said.

Kodjo Alagbo, owner of Sunrise Grocery and an adjoining tobacco shop, was helping customers Monday evening when he said he heard "a lot of shots."

It didn't surprise him at first, since hearing gunfire in the area had become common in his three years on the corner and previously, at another location across the street.

But a customer returned and told him the shooting occurred behind his building.

"It's something we live day by day here," Alagbo said. "It happens all the time."

Alagbo said he went outside but didn't venture into the alley, which remained taped off until late Tuesday morning as authorities investigated.

Alagbo and another witness who declined to be named said they did not hear anything suspicious before the gunfire. The other witness reported hearing about five shots.

Alagbo said business owners have asked the city to install a security camera on the corner to no avail.

"It's not safe for us," Alagbo said. "It's not good for business — for your family."

Ernster said the neighborhood "is not without its challenges." He said police will work with residents and business owners to find the best options to prevent such crimes.

Investigators were checking with businesses for any surveillance video that could yield evidence in the case.

Anyone with information about the case can call police at (651) 266-5650.

chao.xiong@startribune.com • 612-270-4708 Twitter: @ChaoStrib paul.walsh@startribune.com • 612-673-4482