Police ask for help in Maplewood liquor-store killing

Maplewood police are asking for the public's help in finding the people who shot at three men outside a liquor store over the weekend, killing one and injuring another.

Terrence J. Woods, 25, suffered a gunshot wound to the back and died after being transported to Regions Hospital, according to Maplewood police. Jamil I. Ellis, 24, was wounded in the leg.

Police said the men and a third companion who ran from the scene were shot about 8:35 p.m. Saturday, reportedly because they refused to buy alcohol for the suspects.

A 19-year-old suspect was arrested Saturday, but released Monday pending further investigation.

According to the news release from police:

The three men, including Woods and Ellis, were going into Merwin's Liquor Store in the 1700 block of Rice Street when three young men approached and asked them to buy alcohol for them.

They refused, and the two groups exchanged words.

"When the three men came out of the liquor store toward a white car that held the men who had asked them to buy alcohol, several people inside the white car began shooting at the victims," the news release said.

Video captured images of the suspects' car, which police describe as a sedan occupied by three or more people. The car, possibly a Honda Accord or a Chevrolet Impala, fled north on Rice Street.

Police are asking for help from anyone who may have seen the vehicle or the dispute before the shooting, or who may have been approached by the suspects Saturday night to buy alcohol.

Anyone with information can call Maplewood police at 651-767-0640, 911 or send an anonymous text message with the word "Maplewood" to TIP 411 (847411).