Portland police investigate a shooting Monday night at the intersection of Portland and Alder streets. Daniel Kool/Staff Writer

Police have arrested a Portland man after a shooting downtown left one person dead Monday evening.

Edgar Cando, 31, of Portland, was shot multiple times and taken to Maine Medical Center about 5:30 p.m., where he later died, police said Tuesday morning.

Omar Abd Elkader, 21 Cumberland County Jail

The suspect, whom police identified as 21-year-old Omar Abd Elkader, was arrested about three hours later after an interview at police headquarters and charged with murder, according to department spokesperson Brad Nadeau. Abd Elkader is in custody at the Cumberland County Jail without bail.

It was not clear Monday night how many shots were fired or the cause of the violence. Police were still investigating, Nadeau said.

About 8 p.m., at least nine police vehicles were at the intersection and parked along surrounding roads. The stretch of Portland Street between Alder and Hanover streets was closed off by police tape, as was the stretch of Alder Street between Portland Street and Cumberland Avenue.

More than a dozen yellow evidence markers sat on the ground near the intersection of Portland and Alder streets. Some sat next to small dots of what appeared to be blood on the curb.

Portland police are investigating a shooting that occurred at the intersection of Portland and Alder streets. Daniel Kool/Staff Writer

At the top of the Alder Street hill and around the corner onto Cumberland Avenue, at least six more evidence markers sat in a line near dozens of red droplets.

Evidence markers lined the corner of Alder Street onto Cumberland Avenue as police investigate a shooting at Alder’s intersection with Portland Street. Daniel Kool

Abigail Robinson, 43, stood at the top of the hill and video-called her mother. She was walking her dog when police began to arrive, but she did not hear any gunshots, she said.

She pointed at Dyer’s Variety Store, just in front of the police tape on Portland Street.

“I go to that store all the time,” Robinson said. “Thank God my mom moved.”

A worker at the store said police told him not to speak about the shooting.

Aaron Rock, 54, smoked a cigarette on his front staircase, just off the corner of Portland and Hanover streets, and watched as police and passersby walked the scene.

The area is usually relatively quiet, Rock said, noting drug use and the occasional argument on the street.

He heard a noise earlier in the evening and later watched several police cars speed west down Portland Street – he estimated about 6 p.m. but could not recall the specific time.

“Like a couple of pops,” he said. “It certainly didn’t sound like gunfire.”

Officers on the scene referred questions to Nadeau.

Investigators ask anyone with information about the shooting to call (207) 874-8575 or text “PPDME” and a message to 847411.