ST PAUL, Minn. — A man who was found shot in an alley in the North End earlier this week has now been identified.
The family of 22-year-old Alex Becker said he was killed as he was walking home from work late Tuesday night. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Becker's identity Thursday morning.
"Alex was a beautiful, gentle, smart, kind, hardworking, generous person. He loved Pokémon, D&D, Naruto, cartography, and Warcraft 3. He spent every day taking care of everyone and thinking of others. He was a hard worker and when he wasn’t working, he was spending time with his family," his mother, Tara Becker, told KARE 11.
She went on to say,
"I know everyone says this, but he was the most amazing person in the world. He still lived at home with us. He helped us take care of my ailing parents, his grandparents, who live near by. I also wanted him at home so he could save money to start a proper life. He took care of everyone and was always so thoughtful and kind. He just worked and came home. On his days off because his friends all moved away from the state he was either here with his siblings or he was at his Dads house."
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the Becker family with funeral expenses.
Becker's place of employment issued this statement to KARE 11:
“Alex Becker was part of the Goodin Company family for more than 2 years. In his time Alex proved to be a caring, responsible, and hardworking young man. His work ethic resulted in him being promoted as our 2nd shift lead just a short time ago. Alex was known for having an easy-going demeanor and bright personality. He wasn’t afraid to help out his peers, and he was known for going above and beyond for friends and family. Alex loved JETS turbo crust pizza as well as Homi’s Restaurant for their Birria tacos. It wasn’t uncommon for him to order & share with his 2nd shift crew when he got the chance. It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to a fellow employee, friend, and family member. Rest in peace Alex – you will be forever missed, but never forgotten. God Bless.”
According to information from police, the incident occurred on the 500 block of Lawson Avenue West just before midnight on Dec. 27.
Police responded to the area near Crossroads Montessori School on reports of shots fired, and after their arrival, located a man in an alley with gunshot wounds. Officers said they found the man unresponsive and not breathing.
St. Paul Fire Medics declared the man, now identified as Becker, dead at the scene.
Officers said they secured the scene as homicide investigators started looking for witnesses. Multiple departments are searching for any leads or video footage that may show the shooting.
Anyone with information is asked to call St. Paul Police at (651) 266-5650.
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