A 21-year-old St. Paul man was charged Monday in connection with the shooting late Friday of a 14-year-old girl who was hit in the leg by a bullet on Grotto Street between Fuller and University Avenues.

Laurence L. Lyons was charged in Ramsey County District Court with second-degree assault. The girl, whose injuries are not life-threatening, apparently was caught in the crossfire of two street gangs.

She told police she was walking back to her grandmother's house about 11:15 p.m. Friday when she heard four males yelling gang slogans. She heard several shots, "felt a burning in her leg and realized she had been shot," the complaint said.

An officer on routine patrol also heard the shots and stopped a truck carrying Lyons and two other men a short distance away. A handgun was found behind the front seat.

One of the men in the truck with Lyons told police he was at a friend's house when he heard a group of Selbyside or E-Block gang members "calling him out by name," the complaint said.

The man said he called for a ride and was running toward the truck when he heard four or five shots. The man said he saw Lyons on the corner but didn't see Lyons shoot at anyone.

Lyons is being held in the county jail is lieu of $50,000 bail.

PAT PHEIFER