Eagan police are investigating the homicide of a 36-year-old man who died shortly before midnight New Year's Day in his apartment in the 4500 block of Slater Road.

Police, fire and paramedics were sent to the apartment at 11:56 p.m. Tuesday on the report of a man unconscious and not breathing.

The caller told 911 dispatchers that he and the victim had been fighting earlier.

Efforts to resuscitate the man failed and he died at the scene. The victim's roommate and two others were taken in for questioning. The roommate was later booked into the Dakota County jail. He has not yet been charged.

Police believe alcohol was involved in the incident.

The victim's name has not been released. The Hennepin County medical examiner's office, which has merged with the Dakota County coroner, is performing an autopsy.

The last contact officers had at the victim's apartment involved a noise complaint in June. The suspect has a previous arrest for misdemeanor assault, police said.

PAT PHEIFER