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Fridley police are searching for a man who shot and killed a 1-year-old dog in front of his owner Friday afternoon.

A gold or tan Lincoln Navigator with a group of men inside pulled up to the 1000 block of North Circle NE., police said Saturday. The suspect got out of the vehicle and began to argue with the dog's owner, who was in the front yard of a home.

The suspect then shot the pit bull, jumped into the vehicle and fled. The dog, a pit bull, was dead when police arrived around 1:15 p.m.

Police believe the owner and suspect were arguing about a "perceived gang affiliation" before the shooting.

Police interviewed several witnesses and continue to investigate the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 763-572-3629.

Miguel Otárola • 612-673-4753