St. Paul Police open homicide investigation after 2-year-old shot and killed

KSTP & Callan Gray

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The St. Paul Police Department is investigating a homicide after a child was killed Wednesday afternoon.

According to the St. Paul Police Department, a homicide unit is investigating a shooting Wednesday where a 2-year-old was shot and killed on the 800 block of Rice Street.

A spokesperson said St. Paul Fire medics responded to an apartment at 1:12 p.m. after a 911 caller asked for help, reporting a child had injured his head. When they arrived to the third-floor apartment, medics found the 2-year-old with a gunshot wound and started aid.

"They immediately called for police, who arrived and they tried to save the boy’s life, unfortunately, there was nothing they could do for him," Public Information Officer Steve Linders said. "Eight minutes after the initial 911 call for help, he passed away."

Police said three juveniles were taken to SPPD headquarters for questioning to hopefully learn more information about what happened. Officers still aren’t sure who was in the apartment when the gun was fired.

"It’s possible there were other people in the apartment when the gun went off but we don’t know who, or where they went, or if they were there at all," Linders said. "We’re trying to piece that all together."

[KSTP]

No arrests have been made yet. Investigators are still working to determine whether it was an accidental, self-inflicted or intentional shooting.

Police want to speak to anyone with information.

"Wish I weren’t standing here today," Linders said. "As you can imagine, these are really tough calls for our officers, especially this time of year. Our hearts go out to the family, the child’s loved ones and the whole community, who is probably shocked by this."

The department is awaiting autopsy results from the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office.