MINNEAPOLIS, MN – A Minneapolis man is recovering after being shot in the face during a series of crimes that unfolded over two hours in the city. The incident, which left him with significant injuries, occurred when he looked out his window after hearing a disturbance.
The crime spree began on Tuesday morning, with three men breaking into multiple garages, carjacking an individual at gunpoint, and ultimately shooting two people, according to local law enforcement. Surveillance footage captured the suspects as they exited a white sedan and forced entry into a garage on 25th Avenue South. Shortly after, one suspect appeared to notice something outside and fired a shot in that direction.
The bullet struck the victim, identified as Hansen, tearing through his jaw and knocking out teeth before lodging in his shoulder. His girlfriend, Denise Ward, detailed the harrowing moment when Hansen, from his second-floor window, was shot after simply trying to identify the source of the noise.
The suspects’ crime spree included six separate incidents, one of which involved a robbery on East Lake Street that left another man critically injured with a gunshot wound to the chest.
Denise Ward, who was downstairs during the shooting, described the chaos that ensued. “I just heard him yelling, ‘Call 911! I’ve been shot!’” she recounted, emphasizing the urgency and fear of the moment as she saw him bleeding profusely.
Hansen is currently hospitalized and underwent surgery on Tuesday to remove the bullet from his shoulder. A subsequent surgery is planned to address the damage to his jaw. Ward expressed gratitude that the injuries were not more severe, acknowledging the precarious nature of the gunshot’s trajectory.
Minneapolis police are actively searching for the three suspects involved in this string of crimes. Two vehicles connected to the spree have been recovered, but the suspects remain at large.
The city remains on alert as authorities continue their investigation, urging residents to be vigilant and report any related information to the police.