Suspects sought: Paraplegic man carjacked, shot twice in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - A paraplegic man was carjacked at gunpoint and shot twice while in the driver's seat of his vehicle early Monday in Minneapolis. Police said they're looking for the suspects.

The incident happened around 4:45 a.m. while the victim was parked in front of his home in south Minneapolis. According to police, two male suspects walked up to the driver’s door, opened it, and ordered the victim to get out of his truck.

"The victim was unable to get out because he cannot walk," Minneapolis police said. "The suspects shot him twice and the victim sustained a gunshot wound to the chest."

The paraplegic man, Sylvester Tart, subsequently fell out of the driver’s seat and onto the street before the two suspects jumped into his truck and drove off.

Tart told Fox 9 that he was angry the shooting took place just steps away from where his family lives. He says he has no enemies and not much money and doesn't know why he was shot.

"I reared back the bullet hit me in my chest," said Tart. "Oh you you got one off in my chest you got one in my arm. I'm just saying by the grace of God i was already paralyzed by an accident back in 1992 and I was blessed to be here and by God I'm still blessed to be here from what you just did here."

Tart was discharged from HCMC Friday evening.

According to police, sometime between the time of the shooting and 9:15 a.m. on Monday, the suspects abandoned the man's truck in the middle of the University Avenue southbound ramp off of eastbound 694, while blocking traffic.

"The truck was likely abandoned on the ramp as people were going to work on Monday morning [August 1]. Detectives would like to talk to anyone who saw the Ford Expedition or the suspects who got out of the truck," police said.

His dark green Ford Expedition has special controls so he can drive it.

Minneapolis Police said they're hoping someone in the area saw the suspects and will call law enforcement with information at 612-673-2616. A person can also text their tip into 847411 (TIP411); Enter MPD, a space, and then the information.