Two Shot In Chaotic St. Paul Shopping Area Incident; Suspect Dies by Suicide After Police Shootout

Two Shot In Chaotic St. Paul Shopping Area Incident; Suspect Dies by Suicide After Police Shootout

ST. PAUL, MN — A violent confrontation unfolded in a busy St. Paul shopping area on Thursday afternoon, leaving two people injured and the suspect dead following an exchange of gunfire with police.

According to the St. Paul Police Department, officers responded around 2:00 p.m. on July 10 to reports of an active shooting near a strip mall on the 1700 block of Suburban Avenue on the city's East Side. Upon arrival, officers encountered a chaotic scene: two individuals had been shot, and the suspect was still armed and firing.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), which is now investigating the incident, confirmed that a shootout ensued between the suspect and responding officers. After a brief exchange, the suspect was located nearby, deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Victims in Stable Condition

The two victims, identified only as adult males, were transported to Regions Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities say both are expected to recover.

Police have not yet released the identities of the suspect or the victims, citing the ongoing investigation.

Suspect Was Known to Victims

Initial findings suggest that the shooting was not random. According to early reports from law enforcement, the suspect knew at least one of the victims. Investigators believe the incident may have stemmed from a personal dispute, though exact motives remain under review.

“We know this was a frightening situation for many people who were in the area,” said St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry in a statement. “We're grateful to our officers for their quick and courageous response, and we’re thankful this situation wasn’t even worse.”

Several businesses in the area went into lockdown during the incident, and customers were instructed to shelter in place until the scene was secured.

Multiple Agencies Responded

In addition to St. Paul police, emergency responders from the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota State Patrol, and St. Paul Fire Department assisted at the scene. The BCA has taken over the investigation, as is standard when there is a police shooting, even if officers did not fatally wound the suspect.

BCA spokesperson Bonnie Bowman confirmed that body-worn camera footage will be reviewed as part of the investigation. No officers were injured in the exchange.

Witnesses Describe Panic

Witnesses at the scene described a terrifying few minutes as gunfire erupted near the strip mall, which includes several small businesses, restaurants, and grocery outlets.

“I was just pulling in to get something to eat and heard popping — I didn’t know if it was fireworks or not,” said Jerome Little, a nearby shopper. “Then I saw people running. It was really scary.”

“We locked the doors and told everyone to stay low,” said a business owner who asked to remain anonymous. “It all happened so fast.”

Community on Alert

The incident has raised fresh concerns about gun violence and public safety in commercial areas. City officials have reiterated their commitment to investing in both community-based violence prevention and police readiness.

St. Paul has seen a number of high-profile shootings in recent years, though overall violent crime has shown signs of stabilization, according to 2024 data from the St. Paul Police Department.

Ongoing Investigation

Authorities are continuing to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and process footage from body cameras and nearby security systems. An autopsy on the suspect is being conducted by the Ramsey County Medical Examiner.

Anyone with additional information about the incident is urged to contact the St. Paul Police Department or submit an anonymous tip via Crimestoppers of Minnesota.

This is a developing story. MinneapoliMedia will update as more information becomes available.

MinneapoliMedia