Seantrell Murdock Obituary, Death – St. Paul police officers fatally shot a man in Belle Plaine on Thursday, who was identified as a suspect in what Chief Axel Henry described as a “cold-blooded” homicide that occurred in the capital city. The suspect was linked to a murder that took place in St. Paul’s Lowertown neighborhood on Wednesday night, an incident that Chief Henry labeled as one of the most brutal he had ever witnessed in his nearly three decades of police service.
According to Chief Henry, law enforcement had managed to identify the suspect’s vehicle and obtained a photograph of the driver, which ultimately led them to Belle Plaine early Thursday morning. Around 6:30 a.m., the suspect exited a residence while armed with a handgun, prompting two officers to open fire. He was subsequently transported to Hennepin Healthcare, where he was pronounced dead.
Samantha Jones
The man killed was identified by family members as 29-year-old Seantrell Murdock. His family stated that he was a father of four and was on his way to work at the time of the shooting. They expressed a desire for answers regarding the incident but indicated they would allow the investigation to unfold before making further comments.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is overseeing the investigation into the police shooting. The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave as a standard procedure following such incidents. Authorities confirmed that all officers present had their body cameras activated during the event.
Chief Henry noted that the homicide on Wednesday night was captured on a nearby surveillance camera. At this time, law enforcement is not pursuing any additional suspects and described the crime as “extremely random.”
Earlier, police reported an ongoing investigation near the intersection of Meridian and Prairie streets in Belle Plaine. They advised the public to avoid the area during this active investigation, although officials assured that there was no immediate threat to the community.
In response to the situation, law enforcement established a perimeter around St. John’s Lutheran Church and several adjacent homes. Local residents reported hearing sirens and seeing a helicopter land as they were beginning their day, preparing to send their children off to school.
“I’m really pleased with the police presence and feel like they had a strong grip on the situation,” remarked resident Jessica Mutunga. She expressed hopes that such incidents would not become a frequent occurrence in their community.
Belle Plaine is situated approximately 44 miles southwest of Minneapolis.