Minneapolis Man Killed After Confronting Car Theft Suspects

Minneapolis, MN (Minnesota Now) -- A man has died after what Minneapolis Police say started as an attempted vehicle theft last week in south Minneapolis.

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According to the Minneapolis Police Department, officers were called around 1:35 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, to the 5400 block of 43rd Avenue South for what was first reported as a personal injury crash.

When officers arrived, they found a 38-year-old man unconscious in the street after he had been thrown from a vehicle. Police say officers gave medical aid at the scene before the man was taken to Hennepin Healthcare with life-threatening injuries.

Investigators say the man had confronted two people who were allegedly trying to steal his vehicle.

According to the Minneapolis Police, the suspects gave up on stealing the vehicle and ran back to the vehicle they had arrived in. As they tried to leave, investigators say the victim was either hit by the suspects’ vehicle or jumped onto the hood as they drove away.

Police say the suspects then drove in a way that caused the man to be thrown from the hood, leading to a severe head injury. The suspects fled the scene.

On Sunday, May 17, Minneapolis Police said they were notified that the victim had died from his injuries.

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“This is a tragic event that has devastated a family and shocked the community,” Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said in a statement. “The reckless disregard for the value of human life shown in this case is horrifying, and those responsible should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

MPD homicide investigators are still working to piece together exactly what happened. As of Monday, no arrests had been announced.