A person waiting for a Lyft ride near West Seventh Street and James Avenue in St. Paul was blindsided from behind early Saturday, October 17, struck in the back of the head with a metal object by a man who then ran off before officers arrived. The victim was hospitalized with a substantial head injury, and police say the attacker was a stranger who had been spotted at a nearby bar just before the assault.
St. Paul police are now asking the public for help identifying the man, according to Bring Me The News. The attack was reported around 2:20 a.m. that Saturday, with investigators saying the attacker approached the victim from behind before striking them and fleeing the scene.
Suspect Spotted At Nearby Bar Before Attack
Investigators believe the man they are trying to identify was seen shortly before the assault at the White Squirrel, at 974 West Seventh Street, according to Bring Me The News. Police have not released his name or a physical description, but say images obtained during the investigation show the man they believe was responsible. The victim did not know him, the outlet reported.
The assault happened a few blocks from the bar. Police have not detailed a motive, and no arrest has been announced.
Where to find neighborhood crime reports
For broader local context, the City of Saint Paul makes neighborhood crime incident reports available through its Open Information Portal. This article does not compare reported assaults in West Seventh with citywide figures or describe how the records define the area and offense categories.
Police Ask Anyone With Information To Come Forward
Anyone with information about the suspect's identity is asked to contact St. Paul police Sgt. Lopez at 651-266-5521. Bring Me The News reported that the details reflect law enforcement's account and may change as the investigation continues.
