The death of a 50-year-old man found near railroad tracks on Nicollet Island has been ruled a homicide.
The man, identified as Timothy G. Benton, sustained unspecified head injuries, according to Minneapolis Police spokeswoman Cyndi Barrington.
A railroad worker discovered the man's body at about 4 a.m. Dec. 3, beside railroad tracks near the intersection of Grove Street and Nicollet Street, northwest of De La Salle High School.
"He was found underneath a bridge off the side of the tracks," Barrington said. "The conductor saw him, then called Burlington Northern police, who then called Minneapolis police. ...
Obviously, he was DOA [dead on arrival]."
Barrington said the area is a place where vagrants are known to congregate.
She said the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's office ruled the death a murder on Dec. 4. The city's homicide unit is investigating the case.
Barrington said the victim was 50 years old and a white male. Police said Benton, also known as James M. Brown, had no permanent address.
