Army veteran killed during alleged carjacking

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Summary: Army veteran Amos Barrett Ferrier, 38, died Sunday after he tried to stop two people from stealing his pickup truck Friday afternoon outside the veteran-support coffee shop where he worked. The combat medic suffered fatal head injuries when the suspects’ vehicle swerved and threw him to the ground. Police ruled the death a homicide and arrested two 18- and 19-year-old women in St. Paul on Tuesday. Ferrier leaves behind two young sons.

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MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — A 38-year-old Army veteran who dedicated his post-service years to lifting up fellow service members lost his life this week after stepping in to protect his truck from thieves outside the coffee shop where he worked.

Amos Barrett Ferrier, a combat-decorated medic who spent 15 years in the Army, died Sunday at Hennepin County Medical Center from injuries suffered two days earlier. Police say he noticed two people attempting to drive away with his pickup Friday afternoon near the veteran-support nonprofit where he served as internship director.

Ferrier sprang into action. According to investigators, the suspects fled in their own vehicle as he tried to stop them. He ended up on the hood. Moments later, the driver swerved sharply, tossing him to the pavement. He suffered a critical head injury and never recovered. Authorities ruled the death a homicide.

Colleagues at Every Third Saturday and its Rick’s Coffee Bar described Ferrier as the kind of steady presence that turns a workplace into something closer to family. In his role, he guided veterans through career coaching, personal development programs, and practical steps toward rebuilding civilian lives. Many who knew him pointed to his quiet courage—honed in Afghanistan, where he saved lives as a medic—and his willingness to show up for others long after his own uniform days ended.

He leaves behind two young sons.

On Tuesday, Minneapolis police announced the arrests of two women in connection with the case. Janaya Samiah Frost, 18, and Riniyah Brinique Allen, 19, face charges related to the incident. Officers from the Violent Criminal Apprehension Team tracked them down in St. Paul.

The tragedy comes at a place known for second chances. Rick’s Coffee Bar operates as a social enterprise supporting veterans and their families through Every Third Saturday. Ferrier’s daily work there reflected the same service-oriented spirit that defined his military career—helping people find direction when life felt uncertain.

Friends remember a man who built things with his hands, including a simple white cross that now stands as part of a growing memorial outside the shop. His approach to mentoring combined practical advice with genuine empathy, qualities shaped by both battlefield experience and the challenges many veterans face at home.

This incident highlights the split-second decisions ordinary people sometimes make when something they value is at risk. Ferrier’s choice to act that afternoon cost him everything, yet it also underscores the protective instinct many who have served still carry.

Police continue investigating the full sequence of events. As the community processes the loss, those closest to Ferrier say they plan to honor his legacy by continuing the veteran programs he helped build.

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Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Minneapolis Police Department updates
Every Third Saturday / Rick’s Coffee Bar
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