A man shot in St. Paul on Monday night died early Tuesday, marking the city’s first homicide of the year.

He was wounded in an alley south of University Avenue, off Arundel Street, according to police.

Someone drove the man to Regions Hospital, said Sgt. Mike Ernster, a St. Paul police spokesman. Police were notified about 8:30 p.m. Monday.

Regions staff tried to save the man, who had apparent gunshot wounds, but he died from injuries early Tuesday, according to Ernster.

Kodjo Alagbo, who owns Sunrise Grocery at the corner of University Avenue and Arundel Street, said he had three customers in the store on Monday night when he heard “a lot of gunshots” — more than five.

Alagbo said he regularly hears gunshots in the area, but he didn’t realize how close they were on Monday night. It turned out the gunfire was coming from the alley behind his business.

The police department’s Forensic Services Unit collected evidence and investigators canvassed the area Tuesday. They looked for businesses with surveillance cameras and whether any had video footage to assist the investigation, Ernster said.

“Investigators are trying to work through the timeline of what occurred here and who a suspect may be,” he said.

Police determined the location of the shooting by interviewing people and because they received some calls about shots fired in the area. Police also spoke to the driver who brought the man to the hospital.

“What we need is the public’s help on this,” Ernster said. “… We need witnesses to come forward and tell us anything they’ve seen or heard, no matter how big or small … the information, investigators need to hear from you.”

Police ask anyone with information to call them at 651-266-5650.

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Alagbo said he and other business owners met with police last year and brought up concerns about violence on the block. He said he asked for extra patrols or whether police could install a camera in the area.

Ernster said Tuesday the “area is not without its challenges … but we’re going to work with our community, work with the businesses and try to determine the best options available to combat these type of crimes.”