A man was fatally shot early Saturday near Interstate 35W in south Minneapolis, police said.

No arrests have been made and officers continue to investigate, said Sgt. Catherine Michal, a spokeswoman for Minneapolis police.

Several 911 callers reported hearing gunshots near the intersection of E. 45th Street and Stevens Avenue S. about 2:50 a.m. Saturday, police said. One caller also said a vehicle crashed into the sound wall of I-35W, which is adjacent to Stevens Avenue.

Police found the crashed vehicle at the scene. Inside was a dead man with what appeared to be a gunshot wound.

The man has not been identified. Officials believe the victim and the shooter knew each other.

All that remained at the site late Saturday was broken glass and battered wood from where the vehicle hit the wall.

Rafael Franco, who lives a few houses down from the crash, said he awoke to a patter of two or three gunshots, then a chorus of flashing police lights. "They were chasing someone from the freeway," he said of the suspects. "They obviously weren't from here."

Franco, a 16-year resident on the block, said he has always considered the neighborhood safe and doesn't recall ever having such a serious crime occur nearby.

The shooting is the city's 27th homicide of the year.

Anyone with information is encouraged to text police at 847411 (TIP411) and enter MPD, a space and the information. All texts are anonymous. Tipsters also may call 612-692-TIPS (8477).

Staff writer Liz Sawyer contributed to this report. Miguel Otárola • 612-673-4753