Authorities are offering a cash reward for help in finding whoever is responsible for the death of a man who was severely beaten in a Roseville park.

Ismail Jama, 28, was discovered the morning of Dec. 24 in a drainage-pond ditch at Autumn Grove Park, just west of Lake Josephine. Jama later died from his injuries while hospitalized.

The Roseville Police Department, through Crime Stoppers of Minnesota, is offering up to a $5,000 reward for any information that leads to the arrest of the suspect or suspects responsible for Jama's death, which has been ruled a homicide.

Roseville police say the assault was an isolated incident and that the public is not in danger.

Police have said that evidence suggests that Jama drove to the park Dec. 22 between 5 and 10:50 p.m. He appeared to have gotten out of his vehicle, found near the park entrance, and entered the park, where he was "violently assaulted" near the tennis courts.

On Dec. 24, a resident was in the park with his family when he noticed Jama lying in the ditch and called police.

Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers of Minnesota at 1-800-222-8477. Tipsters may remain anonymous.

NICOLE NORFLEET