Two in custody after two fatal shootings within 10 minutes on St. Paul's East Side

St. Paul police have two suspects in custody in connection with shootings 10 minutes apart that left two men dead Friday night on the city's East Side.

A man was shot inside the Arco gas station on the 1100 block of E. Maryland Avenue around 9:15 p.m. Photos of the scene released by police show the gas station taped off as witnesses milled about.

The shooter reportedly fired at the victim before fleeing the scene in a vehicle toward Interstate 35E, according to police dispatch audio.

Police identified a suspect from evidence at the scene and witness interviews. Investigators later found a damaged vehicle at the house of the suspect's parents, police audio said. The man surrendered without incident and was brought to police headquarters for questioning. Charges are pending.

In the second shootings, gunfire broke out following a car crash 2.5 miles south, at the intersection of Hwy. 61 and Burns Avenue.

Upon arrival, first responders found a 40-year-old man suffering from six gunshot wounds — three to lower abdomen and three to the leg — lying in the middle of the road, according to EMS audio.

"He is conscious with motor respond," paramedics can be heard saying while en route to Regions Hospital. He died there a short time later.

A preliminary investigation determined that the victim and another man were involved in a nearby collision. Both drivers got out of their vehicles and argued, before one man pulled out a firearm and fired several shots, Sgt. Mike Ernster said. The shooter left the injured man in the road as bystanders rendered aid, then fled the scene, according to police.

He was arrested nearby.

The deaths mark St. Paul's ninth and 10th homicides of the year — and the third straight weekend of fatal shootings.

Staff writer Ryan Faircloth contributed to this report.

Liz Sawyer • 612-673-4648 Twitter: @bylizsawyer