Minneapolis Delivery Driver Shot In Heart Tells His Story
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Minneapolis pizza driver who was shot in the heart and minutes from dying is alive to tell his story. Andrew Gryskiewicz spoke with WCCO from the intensive care unit of Hennepin County Medical Center.
Someone shot Andrew in the shoulder early Saturday, piercing his heart. The fact that Andrew survived stunned his doctor, who took extreme measures to save him.
Many have been wondering how Andrew Gryskiewicz is doing. From his hospital bed at Hennepin County Medical Center, Andrew showed WCCO his wounds.
"There's holes, holes in my heart and my lungs," he said.
It's a progression that's stunned the professionals like trauma surgeon Dr. Mark Hill.
"It's amazing, and to be a part of that, and to see someone make a recovery like that is phenomenal," he said.
And now the beloved pizza delivery driver is remembering how he got here.
"I remember he had a mask and a big gun," Andrew said. "I tried to hop in my car and drive away."
He was near Park Avenue and 31st Street South, and he'd just finished his last delivery of the night. He says a man tried to rob him.
"He got me when I got in my car, but he faded within 5, 6 seconds," Andrew said. "That bullet caused a lot of damage so my vision just went to nothing."
He thinks he drove a few blocks before passing out and a passerby called for help. He got to HCMC in the nick of time.
"In a matter of minutes, he had a breathing tube in, he had the necessary IVs in for recitation and we had initiated opening the chest," Dr. Hill said.
Dr. Hill says blood was flooding Andrew's heart. He put his own hand on Andrew's heart to stop the bleeding. Dr. Hill says Andrew's body was shutting down functions.
"He was essentially dying," he said.
It worked. Andrew survived a wound Dr. Hill says almost always results in death. Even though Andrew is still in great pain, he's found deep comfort.
"All the prayers and support, it's made it worth fighting when I didn't think it was worth fighting for, so thank you to everyone," he said.
Despite everything, Andrew spoke from a place of empathy for his attacker.
"I don't think they're a bad person, really, I think they just kinda got to a point where they didn't know if they could go back or not," he said.
But he and police want to find out who it was. It's also not documented who the good Samaritan was who saw Andrew and called 911.
Police are asking for tips - you can call or text anonymously. If you have information about a crime, call the Tip Line at (612) 692-TIPS (8477) or download the MPD Tip App
Andrew, as a delivery driver, does not have personal health insurance. You can help him by donating to his GoFundMe page.
