A woman who was fatally shot on St. Paul’s North End last weekend was a 23-year-old cosmetologist from Coon Rapids.
Ramsey County sheriff’s deputies discovered Nia Black suffering from a gunshot wound to the head in a vehicle that had sped away from a large fight in the parking lot of a strip mall at Larpenteur Avenue West and Rice Street around 1 a.m. Saturday, according the St. Paul police department.
Officers called to respond to the scene discovered the fight had mostly broke up when they arrived and that other incoming 911 calls indicated shots had been fired.
Deputies administered first aid to Black until paramedics arrived but she was declared dead.
Videos surfacing on social media show a large group of people congregated in front of The Lamplighter Cocktail Lounge and Giant Wash Coin Laundry.
Lorenzo Jackson, who was at the scene, said the lounge was not allowing any more people inside, which is why many congregated in the parking lot. His video shows most of the crowd standing around peacefully, with some fighting out in the parking lot. Toward the end of the video, about 10 shots can be heard.
No arrests have been made in Black’s death yet and police are asking members of the public with information about what happened to call 651-266-5650.
The owner of Hossle Woodworks, a local company that creates mid-century inspired furniture, posted about Black’s death on Facebook, saying Black was also known as Brooklyn and that she is the owner of Brooklyn Black LLC, which provides cosmetology services.
An Instagram account for Brooklyn Black LLC says its run by Nia Black.
“Nia Black … was a friend of mine, a tenant in the building I manage, and wonderful human being,” the post said. “She lost her life early (Saturday) morning to senseless violence,” Justin Hossle posted on Facebook.
Black’s family could not be immediately reached for comment.
Her death marks the 16th homicide in St. Paul this year.