Police have released surveillance photographs of the man they suspect shot a Minneapolis library patron in the back "without provocation" two weeks ago.
The images were obtained from inside the Franklin Community Library at 1314 E. Franklin Av. Police say they are hoping the photos help them determine the suspect's identity and ultimately make an arrest.
Macdad Abdullahi, a 42-year-old homeless man who emigrated from Sudan about two years ago, remains paralyzed and is being cared for at the Hennepin County Medical Center.
Abdullahi apparently was washing up and brushing his teeth in the bathroom when the gunman approached and said something he couldn't understand, police said.
"Within a minute the suspect shot the victim without provocation," police said on Tuesday in a statement accompanying release of the photos.
The suspect and Abdullahi were regular patrons at the Franklin library as well as the main library downtown, police said.
Crime Stoppers of Minnesota is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information in this case. Anyone with information is urged to call 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or visit the Crime Stoppers website at crimestoppersmn.org and click on "Give a Tip."
PAUL WALSH
