Suspect killed by police after “brazen” murder of artist in St. Paul

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – St. Paul police pursued the suspect in a Lowertown murder Wednesday night in Belle Plaine and killed him Thursday morning.

St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter called the killing “cold-blooded and brazen.”

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is investigating the officer-involved shooting.

READ MORE: Artist shooting in St. Paul and police shooting in Belle Plaine are related

The victim of the Lowertown murder was chosen at random

Police are still not releasing many details, including the victim's name, but her neighbors say she was an artist in her 60s.

And police say the shooter picked them at random.

Mourning surrounds the mural where the woman was shot Wednesday evening.

“I have never seen such a random act, not even in a movie,” said St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry. “It's terrible.”

“She was just trying to give us an even more beautiful, pleasant and peaceful community,” Carter said.

Track down the suspect

The murder in St. Paul's Lowertown neighborhood led police 40 miles away to Belle Plaine, where they shot the suspect early Thursday morning.

They say when they planned to arrest him, he walked out of the house with a gun and was shot by police.

The BCA is now investigating this shooting.

Who is the suspected shooter?

Family members identified the man as 29-year-old Seantrell Murdock.

They praised him for his work habits and love of family and struggled to understand why police killed him.

“We just want the investigative process to take its course so we can find out what happened there and why he had to lose his life this morning,” said a man named Richard, who said he was Murdock's father.

Criminal and psychological history of the suspect

Murdock had a limited criminal history, including a burglary and a theft conviction.

But Henry hinted at a larger story about who can own firearms and the role mental health and intoxication play in it.

“It is important that we recognize these flags and ensure that people are not in crisis and distress,” the chief said.

Murdock was committed to a mental institution last year because he was mentally ill and/or chemical addicted.

Lowertown complains about safety concerns

People who lived with the victim in an artists' cooperative took comfort when they learned he lived so far away.

But Lowertown neighbors complained about another reason to feel more unsafe.

“It’s a big difference every night down here,” Lynn Murphy said. “I myself was attacked three times last year.”

Police have not publicly identified the victim of Wednesday night's shooting, but her neighbors told us she was a smart soul who simply wanted to make a difference in the lives of those around her, which was partly why she was on was working on the mural when the shooter passed by.