MIAMI – An international student at Miami Ad School was shot Tuesday in Miami's Wynwood area, his brother told Local 10 News.
Miami police confirmed that Frank Hammar was shot twice during a robbery in the area of Northwest Second Avenue and 26th Street.
According to Hammer's brother, Peter Hammar, the victim had just finished dinner with his parents at the Wynwood Diner when he was approached by two men who demanded his wallet.
Police said one of the robbers pointed a small handgun at the victim and said, "Put everything on the floor. I'm not kidding."
Peter Hammar said his brother refused to give his wallet to the robbers, but handed over his cellphone
Hammar said that angered the robbers and one of the men told the other to "blast him," as his brother was holding his arms up and slowly backing away.
"He surrendered his phone, but he wouldn't give the wallet because he needed his credit cards. He's going to New York to show his portfolio," Hammar said. "This angered the guys and one said, 'Blast him,' and he shot him, aiming for the head."
Hammar said his brother was shot twice in the abdomen, and one bullet was lodged in his spine.
According to Hammar, a couple of good Samaritans helped his brother until authorities arrived.
Frank Hammar was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he underwent surgery. His brother said doctors are not removing the bullet from Hammar's spine for fear that it could cause more damage.
"It's come a long way, you know? This is the cultural center of Miami, Florida," Tina Brady, the owner of WaltGrace Vintage said. "So to see something like that happen, it's sad, it's disturbing."
Peter Hammar said his parents are in town from Sweden and are still planning to attend his brother's graduation on Friday.
The Miami Ad School released a statement Thursday that read in part:
"We send best wishes and healing thoughts his way and look forward to seeing his smiling face back at the school soon. This tragedy has not slowed him down and he is determined to attend graduation and continue on to New York to fulfill his career dreams. We can't wait to watch him grow and inspire the next generation of students over the coming years."
School officials said Frank Hammar was expected to remain in the hospital for about a week and is expected to make a full recovery.
"The most telling fact of Frank's character is that less than 24 hours after the incident, he was asking for his laptop so he could continue working on projects as his graduation from school sat around the corner on June 10th," Dan Flora wrote on a GoFundMe page set up to help with Hammar's medical expenses.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.