UPDATE: Robber targeted group, shooter had gun permit, St. Paul police say

A man was shot Tuesday night in downtown St. Paul when he tried to rob a man who was carrying a gun, police say.

“It appears the would-be robbery victim shot the would-be robber,” Steve Linders, a St. Paul Police Department spokesman, said of the incident near Mears Park in the Lowertown area.

The attempted robbery occurred about 8 p.m. at Fifth and Wacouta streets, Linders said.

The wounded man was transported to Regions Hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

The shooting remains under investigation and police expected to release more information Wednesday, Linders said.

It wasn’t immediately clear whether the gun owner had a state-issued permit to carry firearms.