St. Paul police identify shooting victim and man who died after apparent robbery attempt

St. Paul police have identified a man killed outside a Frogtown convenience store, as well as a man who died in a downtown parking ramp Monday after attempting to rob a Church of Scientology employee, police believe.

Larnell Brown, 42, of St. Paul, suffered a gunshot wound to the chest Tuesday at the intersection of W. University Avenue and Arundel Street around 4 p.m. He died at Regions Hospital.

That troubled corner along the Green Line is the site of frequent police calls. Devon Lamont McClellan was killed in nearly the same spot outside Sunrise Grocery almost exactly a year earlier, prompting business owners to ask the city to install a security camera on the corner. That never happened.

In an unrelated incident Monday, officers responded to the parking ramp at 505 N. Wabasha St., which is attached to the Church of Scientology, around 7 p.m. on a report of an assault.

They found Andre L. Peterson, 52, of St. Paul, lying on the ground, unresponsive.

He was taken to Regions Hospital, where he died.

Ramsey County medical examiners are awaiting toxicology results before determining an exact cause of death.

If ruled a homicide, it would mark the city's fourth this year.

Investigators believe Peterson targeted a 49-year-old church employee heading to work that night, near the ramp's elevator lobby. The victim told authorities that Peterson had his hand hidden in his jacket, implying he had a handgun.

A struggle ensued as the victim repeatedly called for help. Fellow church workers rushed to his aid.

"At some point, with their assistance, he gained control of the robbery suspect and held him on the ground until police arrived," St. Paul police spokesman Sgt. Mike Ernster told reporters on Tuesday.

The victim suffered minor injuries to his hands and face. No weapons were found. No arrests have been made in the case.

Peterson's criminal history stretches over more than 30 years and includes seven felony convictions for aggravated robbery, drug possession and financial transaction card fraud.

He's also faced charges in at least a dozen other theft and robbery cases.

Anyone with information on either case is asked to call police at 651-266-5650.

Liz Sawyer • 612-673-4648