A woman was found shot to death in an apartment in St. Paul’s North End on Saturday night, authorities said in a press release early Sunday.

Just after 9 p.m. Saturday, several people called 911 to report gunfire in an apartment building on the 100 block of Sycamore Street East.

When officers arrived, they found a woman with gunshot injuries. The officers provided first aid until St. Paul fire medics arrived and pronounced the woman dead.

About the same time, authorities said, a police sergeant was waved down near the 90 block of Acker Street East and told about a carjacking during which the driver was shot and the shooter fled in the victim’s vehicle. The driver was taken to Regions Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police said their early investigation shows the two crimes are likely related, but the connection had not yet been confirmed. This marks the 24th homicide of 2024 in St. Paul. There were 27 homicides as of this time last year.

The St. Paul Police Department counts 23 homicides this year because the department’s records are for cases investigated by the city’s police department. One homicide in St. Paul this year was investigated by Metro Transit Police.

Authorities ask anyone with information to call 651-266-5650.

— Kristi Miller

Sheriff’s office debuts cold cases website

The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office launched a new webpage dedicated to unsolved murders on the anniversary of the day four years ago that a 20-year-old St. Paul man was found dead in Carlos Avery State Wildlife Management Area.

Shortly before 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, Mort Siwe was found dead in the park near the 8000 block of Headquarters Road. He had been assaulted and was found with severe head trauma. Although several leads were developed in the case, investigators said, no charges have been filed.

Detectives promise anonymity for tipsters, saying, “You don’t have to tell us who you are, but please tell us what you know.”

They ask anyone with information to email ACSOColdCases@anokacountymn.gov.

The webpage was funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice and will highlight unsolved murders being looked at again by the sheriff’s office’s Cold Case Homicide Unit.

“The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Homicide Unit is dedicated to completing a full inventory of all violent crime cold cases within the office and developing cold case investigation protocols and procedures,” a press release said. “A dedicated team made up of law enforcement and forensic science professionals evaluate and prioritize all cold cases and evidence, and test, or retest evidence to further the investigation. The ultimate goal is to hold offenders accountable and bring closure to victims’ families, while providing support throughout the process.”

— Kristi Miller