ST PAUL, Minn. — Saint Paul police say three are dead and two others injured following a shooting in the city's Payne-Phalen neighborhood Sunday.
SPPD public information officer Sgt. Mike Ernster said officers were called to a home on the 900 block of Case Avenue East around 4:30 p.m. on reports of multiple people shot.
Ernster said arriving officers encountered two people outside the home suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Ernster said it was those two victims who alerted officers to more possible victims inside.
Officers entered the home and discovered three more people also suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. All of them were later pronounced dead by medical first responders.
The two victims outside the home were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
The Ramsey County Medical Examiner identified the victims on Monday as 33-year-old Angelica Gonzales, 42-year-old Cory Freeman and 44-year-old Maisha Spaulding, all from St. Paul. Police added that the two injured victims are now in stable condition and are both adults.
On Monday afternoon a large group of city and community leaders, including interim police chief Jeremy Ellison, Mayor Melvin Carter and African American Leadership Council President Tyrone Terrill, called on anyone with information about who is responsible for the shooting deaths to share it with investigators.
They also appealed directly to the shooter to turn him or herself in.
SPPD says homicide investigators are continuing to process the "complex" scene to identify the person or persons responsible.
"We are dedicated to finding out who is responsible for this; and we are dedicated to finding out sooner than later," Ernster said late Sunday evening in a briefing with reporters.
St. Paul police records indicate officers have been called to the house at least 17 times in the last year, with reports ranging from disorderly conduct, domestic crimes and aggravated assault.
This is a developing story. More information will be released as it is provided.
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