Man Partially Paralyzed in Violent Robbery

Dallas police believe the shooter who partially paralyzed a man in an attempted robbery also abducted a woman and drove her to ATMs.

The gunman demanded money from Ryan Lusk, 23, when he and a friend were leaving St. Patrick's Day festivities on Greenville Avenue early Sunday.

"As soon as I threw the car in gear and started driving, he started firing, and I just felt my legs go numb," Lusk said.

Lusk said he can't feel anything from the waist down.

"He is paralyzed from the waist down because he had $40 in his pocket he wouldn't give this suspect," said Paula Montoya, his mother.

Dallas police said they believe the gunman and another man kidnapped a teacher from the parking lot of her north Dallas apartment complex earlier Sunday.

They forced her to lie on the floorboard as they drove to ATMs to withdraw money, police said. She told investigators she heard gunshots when one of the robbers was out of the car. Police believe one of the bullets is lodged in Lusk's left side.

"I really thought I was going to die," Lusk said. "I didn't think I was going to make it through."

The woman was dropped off, unharmed, on South Fitzhugh Avenue.

Lusk said his friend slipped into the driver's seat and drove them to get help because he couldn't feel his legs to press the gas pedal.

"With prayers and miracles and technology, hopefully he will walk again," Montoya said. "But right now, the chances don't look good."

She said an arrest in the case is the only thing that could her improve her son's spirits.

"I want him off the streets and caught before he harms anyone else," Montoya said.

Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in the case.