Family looking for leads in brutal death in St. Paul

Relatives of a Brooklyn Park man found dead in a St. Paul alley last summer are pleading for the public's help in solving his brutal killing.

They broadcast their message Thursday, the day before Quincy Antwain Blue, 30, is to be posthumously honored at the Twin Cities Hip Hop Awards at First Avenue.

Blue's badly burned body was found by a toddler June 8 in the 1100 block of Westminster Street.

"Nobody's talking," said his mother, Shirley Blue. "Somebody knows something. Please, somebody, anybody ..."

Blue's death is the only unsolved killing of St. Paul's eight homicides last year. His mother and sister, Shalema Blue, said he was a loving son, brother and father to two boys ages 10 and 2.

Blue grew up in south Minneapolis and graduated from South High School. He was studying business management at DeVry University and engaged to be married.

His sister urged anyone with information to put themselves in the family's shoes.

Police have released few details about what happened to Blue, and they have not said whether they believe the crime was targeted or random. Family members had filed a missing-persons report on him after not hearing from him for three days.

Police spokesman Howie Padilla said authorities have had some leads in the case but are still looking for the one lead that will connect the pieces.

"Any little lead helps," Padilla said.

David Powell, founder of the Hip Hop Awards, said he wanted to honor Blue on Friday for his contribution to the local hip-hop scene. He also hopes the exposure will bring new information to light.

"There are a lot of people who knew him, who are his peers" who will be at the awards, Powell said. "They might know something."

"He had a good work ethic, had charisma," Powell said. "Always a stand-up guy."

Blue's 10-year-old son will perform a song honoring his father, and two plaques will be presented to the family.

"I feel like not only did they kill him, but they killed me, too, my spirit ..." his mother said. "It's a hurt that will never go away."

Anyone with information is asked to call St. Paul police at 651-266-5650.