3 killed in separate St. Paul shootings

St. Paul police were investigating a shooting death in the Dayton Bluff neighborhood Sunday night, the city's third in less than 24 hours.

Officers responded to a 911 call at the intersection of E. 7th Street and Mounds Boulevard at about 8:45 p.m. A male in his late teens was transported to Region's Hospital with apparent gunshot wounds where he later died, according to a news release.

Investigators say the shooting may be connected to a road rage incident. No arrests have been made.

The incident followed two fatal shootings early Sunday in separate parts of the city. The first shooting happened in a downtown parking ramp in the 400 block of Jackson Street, police said.

The victim, a man in his 30s, was taken in a private vehicle about 12:15 a.m. to Regions Hospital, where he died. The car had bullet holes in its windshield.

Investigators do not believe the shooting was random.

In the second shooting, police said they found a man with a gunshot wound in a vehicle on Raspberry Island about 3:15 a.m. after a 911 caller reported a robbery and shots fired. The man, who was in his 20s, was taken to Regions Hospital, where he died.

"Based on preliminary information, we believe he was shot during a robbery," said Steve Linders, St. Paul police spokesman.

Police in neighboring Maplewood were investigating a homicide there on Saturday night — the suburb's first this year. The St. Paul shootings are the city's 19th and 20th homicides of the year.

"At this point, there is nothing to indicate the shootings are related," Linders said.

St. Paul police have not released the identities of the two men. Anyone with pertinent information should call 651-266-5650.

"It was a tragic night for our city and a tough night for our officers and investigators," Linders said. "Our hearts go out to the people who lost loved ones."

JENNA ROSS