A man was shot to death outside a Burnsville bar and grill just as closing time was drawing near early Sunday, authorities said.

The shooting occurred shortly before 2 a.m. in the parking lot of Nina's Grill, near Hwy. 13 and Cliff Road, according to police. The man, whose identity has yet to be released, was dead at the scene.

No arrests have been made, but police emphasized that they do not believe there is a wider threat.

"This incident stemmed from a verbal altercation in the parking lot," said police Sgt. Rory Bochniak.

One officer responding to the scene radioed in to dispatch that the victim was shot in the head.

An extensive search was begun immediately, with assistance from the State Patrol, Eagan and Lakeville police, and the Dakota County Sheriff's Office.

Anyone with information about the shooting is encouraged to call police at 952-895-4594.

Paul Walsh