Frogtown bar owner shot to death in his bar after closing time

A St. Paul bar owner was shot to death inside his Frogtown neighborhood establishment shortly after closing time early Sunday morning.

Police wouldn't say why Vone Moua, 45, was shot, but it wasn't a random incident. Two other men were also shot at Malina's Sports Bar by the same assailant, but police said their injuries weren't life-threatening.

Relatives and friends gathered at Moua's house in St. Paul Sunday afternoon. A man who identified himself as Moua's brother said he didn't want to talk.

Moua, who was also a social worker, had owned the bar at 691 N. Dale St. for at least a decade. St. Paul City Council Member Melvin Carter III said he had a few interactions with Moua.

"This was a tragic incident that never should have happened," he said.

Word of Moua's death spread quickly on Twitter and Facebook. Thee Krew, who described himself as a DJ and owner of a promotions group, tweeted that Moua was "like a brother to us." He added that "we always remember you and all the good times together."

Another woman posted on Facebook: "Saddest thing is we were all just there last night sharing laughter and having a good time with him … still in shock!!! Truly a tragic day." Several others said Moua and his wife were expecting a child.

St. Paul fire medics took the victims to Regions Hospital for treatment, where Moua died. Of the other victims, one man was treated and released, and the other was admitted and treated for noncritical injuries. It's unclear if they were employees or customers.

Police said they will continue to investigate the incident. Nobody has been arrested.

Malina's was closed on Sunday.

In 2011, Trent Crumble, 24, was shot to death in the bar's parking lot over a drug deal gone awry. Three people were charged in his death.