2 people are dead after shots fired at a St. Paul motel

Two people are dead after gunfire erupted at the Midway Motel in St. Paul late Tuesday, according to St. Paul police spokesman Steve Linders.

A report that shots were being fired at the motel, which is at 901 Snelling Av. N., came in just after 9:30 p.m., according to police scanner audio.

At least one victim was reported down just outside a motel room, the scanner said. Police soon confirmed that two people were dead.

The shooting broke out when someone went into the room to tamp down a party going on there, according to police scanner reports. Two suspects thought to have fled the area were being sought about 11:15 p.m.

Police set up a large perimeter in the area and were interviewing multiple witnesses, and police dogs were part of the search.

Multiple squad cars were summoned to the scene about 11:30 p.m. to transport people to police headquarters, according to scanner traffic.

Linders said he would address media about the situation at the scene.

On March 5, John Marshall Broyles, 17, was found fatally shot on a sidewalk near Prior Avenue and University Avenue.

Staff writer Pat Pheifer contributed to this report. Chao Xiong • 651-925-5034