Investigation underway after police shooting in Belle Plaine; 1 dead

BELLE PLAINE, Minn. – St. Paul police officers shot a person in Belle Plaine Thursday morning, authorities said.

The person is dead, the St. Paul Police Department said, although it did not confirm that officers fired the fatal shot. It happened around 6:30 a.m.

Family identified the slain man as Seantrell Murdock, 29, who they say leaves behind four children and was on his way to work when the shooting occurred. Murdock’s relatives are waiting for answers, but said they will wait for the investigation to be completed.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said it was responding to a use of force in the area.

The police shooting was related to a murder in the Lowertown neighborhood of St. Paul Wednesday, the department said.

Police previously said an investigation was underway near Meridian and Prairie streets to the south. There is no threat to the public at this time, police say, but the public is advised to avoid the area during the active investigation.

Law enforcement closed a perimeter that encompassed St. John’s Lutheran Church and some surrounding homes.

Neighbors told WCCO they were just getting up to start the day and send their children to school when they heard sirens, followed by a helicopter landing on the street.

“I’m very happy with the police presence and I feel like they handled the situation very well,” said resident Jessica Mutunga. “I just hope it’s not a repeat or something that happens regularly here.”

Belle Plaine is located about 44 miles southwest of Minneapolis.

This is a developing story. Please check back with WCCO for more information.