Army veteran killed in attempted vehicle theft in south Minneapolis; 2 arrested

A 38-year-old man is dead after he was thrown from a vehicle following an attempted auto theft in south Minneapolis on Friday, according to police.

Officers responded to the 5400 block of 43rd Avenue South around 1:35 p.m. for what was initially reported as a personal injury accident. Police said they provided medical aid for the man, who was unconscious in the street. He was then taken to the hospital, where he died on Sunday. 

Investigators said the man confronted two individuals who were trying to steal his vehicle. The individuals stopped the attempted theft and ran back to the vehicle they arrived in.

According to police, as the individuals left, the man was either hit by their vehicle or he jumped onto the hood. 

The way the motorist was driving caused the man to be thrown from the hood of the vehicle, which resulted in him sustaining a serious head injury.

The nonprofit Every Third Saturday, which is located on the same block where the incident took place, said in a Facebook post that its internship director, Amos Ferrier, died after he was severely injured during a robbery.

A memorial grows outside where Ferrier worked at Rick's Coffee Bar in south Minneapolis. Tom McKenna is the cofounder of Every Third Saturday, which operates the shop.

"He had this great big laugh. He was a big guy and his laugh could be heard throughout the building," said McKenna.

"We ran down the block. James, who works on our staff, was already down there. He was holding Amos' hand and getting him to squeeze his hand. I got there, I didn't do much. All I did was push some pressure on his head wound," said McKenna.

Ferrier served in the U.S. Army for 15 years as a medic, including tours in Afghanistan, said McKenna. He earned a combat medic badge and was credited for saving multiple lives, he said.

"We've talked with the family and we all feel strongly that we forgive the people that did this," said McKenna. "We want them brought to justice and they need to be held accountable for what they did."

Police arrested two women, ages 18 and 19, on Tuesday in connection with the incident.