Artist killed in shooting in downtown St. Paul: What we know

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - An artist working on a project was killed in a shooting in downtown St. Paul on Wednesday evening.

What we know

The St. Paul Police Department says officers responded to reports of a shooting in the area of Kellogg Boulevard and Wall Street on Wednesday around 5:18 p.m.

At the scene, they found a woman who had been shot. That woman was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene. Further details about the victim were not immediately available. 

Officers believe the suspect involved in the shooting left the area in a vehicle.

What they're saying

FOX 9's crews saw investigators working in an alleyway behind the Lowertown Lofts Art Cooperative. While police were unable to release details about the victim, the art cooperative posted on Facebook that the woman killed was a member of their group.

They wrote: "This afternoon one of our members was shot and killed while working on an art project outside of our building. We don’t have a lot of information right now, but we are working closely with the authorities to resolve this tragic event. We ask that our friends and neighbors not speculate about the situation. Our community is in shock and grief as we grapple with the unimaginable."

When FOX 9 crews returned to the scene on Thursday morning, flowers were placed on a mural, which was blocked off by caution tape. 

What else?

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing. The St. Paul Police Department on Thursday said a fatal police shooting involving its officers in Belle Plaine is connected to the artist's death. 

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call St. Paul investigators at 651-266-5650.

The Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office will determine the victim's name, along with the cause and manner of her death.