Xavion Bell, 21, Charged In Fatal Shooting In St. Paul's North End Neighborhood

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- One man was killed and another was seriously wounded in a shooting Thursday night in St. Paul's North End neighborhood, and late Friday police say that they arrested a 21-year-old in connection with the crime.

St. Paul police say the fatal shooting occurred at about 9:15 p.m. on the 400 block of Maryland Avenue West.

Responding officers found two men in their early 20s suffering from gunshot wounds. One of them was lying in the street and another was inside a vehicle a short distance away.

Despite life-saving efforts, the victim lying in the street was pronounced dead at the scene. Police later identified him as 21-year-old Dion Ford Jr., of St. Paul. The other victim was rushed to Regions Hospital for surgery.

According to police, Ford's death marks the 12th homicide of 2022 in St. Paul. On social media, Ford was remembered as a standout basketball player for St. Paul Central.

Damian Johnson, the head basketball coach for Benilde-St. Margaret's, wrote on Twitter that Ford had "so much potential."

On Friday night, St. Paul police said they arrested a 21-year-old on suspicion of second-degree murder. He was charged by the Ramsey County Attorney's Office.

The criminal complaint says that Bell shot Ford, who shot Bell when he was confronted by him. There is surveillance video of the incident.