The capital city has had more than 30 homicides so far in 2021, nearing the record of 34 set in 1992, and matched in 2020. Shots fired and gunshot wound victims are also up over last year. Chief Todd Axtell calls 2021 the worst for crime in recent history. “It’s a new dynamic we are seeing, a lot of activity going on in all different corners of our city,” he said.
One of the handguns used in the deadly mass shooting at the Seventh Street Truck Park in St. Paul last week came from an alleged straw buyer, according to federal charges filed Tuesday.
The St. Paul shooting injured 15 people, including two suspects, and killed one woman. Investigators linked one gun to an alleged straw purchase by Jerome Horton.