Police shoot and kill suspect in 'cold-blooded' murder in St. Paul in Belle Plaine

BELLE PLAINE, Minn. — St. Paul police officers fatally shot a man in Belle Plaine on Thursday who the police chief said was a suspect in a “cold-blooded” murder in the capital.

According to Chief Axel Henry, the man killed was a suspect Murder on Wednesday evening in the Lowertown section of St. Paul. The chief said the killing was “one of the most cold-blooded things I've ever seen in my life.”

“In nearly 30 years of police work, this is probably one of the most uncharacteristic murders I have ever seen,” Henry said.

Police identified a suspicious vehicle and took a photo of the driver, Henry said, which led them to Belle Plaine Thursday morning. According to police, the suspect left a house around 6:30 a.m. with a handgun and two officers then shot him. He was taken to Hennepin Healthcare, where he died.

The family identified the man killed as 29-year-old Seantrell Murdock, who reportedly leaves behind four children and was on his way to work when the shooting occurred. Murdock's family members are hoping for answers but said they would wait for the investigation to be completed.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating the police shooting. The officers who shot the man are on administrative leave. Police said all officers involved had their body cameras activated.

Henry said Wednesday night's murder was captured on a nearby camera. Police are not currently looking for any other suspects and the police chief described the crime as “extremely random.”

Court documents show Murdock had previously been convicted of first-degree burglary in 2014, which barred him from legally owning a firearm.

Police previously said an investigation was underway near Meridian and Prairie streets south of Belle Plaine. The public was advised to avoid the area during the active investigation, although police said there was no active threat.

Police cordoned off an area that included St. John's Lutheran Church and some surrounding homes.

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

“I'm super happy with the police presence and it feels like they've got the situation really well under control,” said resident Jessica Mutunga. “I just hope it doesn’t happen again or something that happens here on a regular basis happens.”

Belle Plaine is approximately 44 miles southwest of Minneapolis.