ST. PAUL – A burst of gunfire on Rice Street just after midnight has claimed the life of 22-year-old Emmanuel Bilson, a gentle giant whose infectious laugh and open-door policy made him the unofficial big brother of the North End neighborhood.
St. Paul Police say the shooting happened around 12:40 a.m. Saturday in the 900 block of Rice Street. Officers found Emmanuel slumped behind the wheel of his silver Honda Civic, struck multiple times. Despite frantic CPR from bystanders and paramedics, he was pronounced dead at Regions Hospital less than twenty minutes later.
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Detectives say surveillance video captured a dark sedan pulling alongside Emmanuel’s car at a red light. Someone inside fired at least nine rounds before speeding away. Police are calling it a targeted attack and say they have strong leads, though no arrests have been announced.
To anyone who grew up on the North End, Emmanuel needed no last name. The 2021 Johnson High graduate worked two jobs (Amazon overnight shift and weekend security at Como Park) just to help his single mom keep the lights on and still found time to coach youth basketball at Arlington Hills Community Center every Tuesday.
“Emmanuel would give you the shoes off his feet, then ask if you needed socks too,” childhood friend Marcus Yang posted through tears. “He checked on everybody. Now who’s gonna check on us?”
Sunday evening, hundreds gathered at the corner where he was killed. They released blue and white balloons (Johnson Governors colors) and left a growing memorial of Skittles, Gatorade, and handwritten notes that read “We gon’ hold it down for you, E-Man.”
A GoFundMe titled “Emmanuel’s Homegoing” has already raised more than $48,000 to help his mother with funeral costs and to start a youth scholarship in his name.
Police are asking anyone who was on Rice Street between midnight and 1 a.m. Saturday, or who has dash-cam or Ring footage, to call the Homicide at 651-266-5650.
St. Paul lost one of its brightest lights. The North End lost its heartbeat.
Rest easy, Emmanuel. The whole city’s got your mom now. 🕊️💙 #LongLiveEman