Veteran and community leader Amos Ferrier killed during an attempted car theft in south Minneapolis. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said two women were arrested in St. Paul on Tuesday, May 19, in connection with the incident, Fox 9 reported. They have been booked into the Hennepin County Jail.
19-year-old Riniyah Allen and 18-year-old Jalaya Frost (listed as Janaya Frost on Hennepin County Jail rolls) were arrested in the 1000 block of Kingsford Street in St. Paul following the incident, 5 Eyewitness News reported.
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Ferrier’s death is currently the subject of an open, active investigation.
Who is Amos Ferrier? Five things to know
Here are five things you need to know about Amos Ferrier:
- Ferrier was attending a graduation ceremony Friday at Wednesday Saturdays, the nonprofit that operates Rick’s Coffee Bar, when the incident occurred. He encountered two men who were trying to steal his pickup truck, and when the suspect tried to drive away, it’s believed he ended up on the hood of their car, Fox 9 reported. He was carried a block and thrown from the car before hitting his head on the pavement.
- Tom McKenna, co-founder of Every Third Saturday, said Ferrier was unconscious when he was taken to the hospital. He died two days later in Ho Chi Minh City. “They performed emergency brain surgery in Ho Chi Minh City, but he never woke up,” McKenna said.
- Ferrier was an Army combat medic. He served two tours of duty in Afghanistan and was credited with saving multiple lives.
- After returning home, Ferrier continued working as the coffee shop’s intern director. After leaving the military, he helped other veterans develop job skills. After his death, the coffee shop is now closed.
- McKenna described Ferrier as “full of energy.” “He loved seeing people grow, seeing people get better and become better versions of themselves. He embodied that in people,” McKenna said.
Tom McKenna’s comments on this incident
McKenna said the tragedy happened after Ferrier noticed something going on outside.
“He was in the coffee shop and observed at least one person, maybe two or three people, but they got into his truck and took his bag and he ran out to stop them,” he said, according to 5 Eyewitness News.
“We don’t know if they got back into the car, we don’t know if he stood in front of the car and jumped on the hood, or if they started running over him and ended up on the hood,” he added. “But regardless, they carried him almost the entire city block on the hood and at some point the driver swerved hard and threw him off and he hit his head on the pavement and was killed.”
On what would have been Ferrier’s 39th birthday, a makeshift memorial was erected in front of Rick’s Coffee Bar.
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“He was a special soul in every sense of the word,” McKenna said of Ferrier. “His humor was infectious. He had a big laugh, he was a big deal and his laugh would echo throughout the building.”
McKenna added that Ferrier’s family decided to take life support off Sunday.
“It must be horrific to think about what he went through in his final moments,” he said. “But he was brave and he received the Combat Medal Afghanistanhe is a brave soul. “
minneapolis Police said the incident is believed to be the city’s first car theft-related death this year.
“The loss suffered by Amos Ferrier’s family and loved ones in this horrific incident is irreparable,” said Minneapolis Mayor Brian O’Hara. “However, the arrests of those believed responsible bring hope that justice will be served. I am grateful for the coordinated efforts of investigators and community members that led to these arrests.”
A touching tribute to Ferrier is posted every third Saturday on Facebook. “It is with great sadness that we have lost our internship director Amos Ferrier. Amos was seriously injured in a robbery and lost his life. We don’t have colleagues at ETS, we have family. Amos was our brother. He was awarded the Medal of Valor for his brave actions while serving as a medic in Afghanistan and is credited with saving multiple lives,” the post read.
“While at ETS, he impacted all of our lives with his humor, infectious laughter, and wealth of knowledge. Amos was the kind of man you always wanted to meet and talk to. He will leave a hole in his biological family and his ETS family that will never be filled. May God hold his hand and guide him through the gates of heaven. Information regarding arrangements will be released as appropriate. His family requests privacy at this time,” it added.
