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Mar 20, 2006 3:16 pm US/Central
Police: Man Shot In Head During Uptown Robbery
Minneapolis (WCCO) ―
A 25-year-old man is in critical condition at the Hennepin County Medical Center after a Saturday night shooting in Uptown.
The man was walking with his mother, sister and her friend after they finished dinner in a restaurant at Hennepin Avenue and Lake Street.
According to police, two men approached the group about 10 p.m. at 31st Street and Girard Avenue South. The suspects allegedly stole the mother's purse. Then, even though the victims didn't put up a fight, the suspects allegedly fired two shots, hitting the man in the head.
Ronald Barry, who lives in the apartment building next to where the shooting occurred said, "I heard the shots ... a lady screaming. I called 911 and ran to their aid. There was obviously nothing I could do for the guy. I mean, it was a horrible sight."
The victim's mother was visiting from Virginia. The group was attacked only blocks away from the restaurant where they ate.
Kris Arenson, an inspector from the Minneapolis Police Department said, "Usually when the purse is given up, or even if the purse isn't given up, we haven't had any (people) that have been shot."
Police said the suspects immediately fled the scene, jumped into a white car and headed south on Girard Avenue.
"I was up all night. I've been up since it happened about five minutes to 10. (I) haven't slept yet," said Barry.
While the area is not known for violence, resident Justin Ellis wasn't surprised there would be a robbery outside his building.
"Last summer, I was walking to my car early in the morning before work, I had an early meeting, and I got mugged," Ellis said.
That day, Ellis got away, but a woman on Hennepin Avenue didn't.
David Elmore, who lives nearby said, "With this many people around, you have to be pretty brazen to pull something like this."
Councilman Ralph Remington, who represents the 10th Ward where the shooting occurred, said it was difficult to see this happen.
"It also really pains me that this kind of thing is happening," Remington said. "We have to make sure we get on top of it, we find the suspects and bring them to justice."
Police gave vague descriptions of the suspects, only saying they are men between 17 years old and 22 years old and were both wearing dark clothing.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Minneapolis Police Department at 612-692-8477.
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