Black Lives Matter Protestors in Minnesota Shot by Alleged White Supremacists
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Five people were shot at a Black Lives Matter demonstration near a police precinct in Minneapolis Monday night, authorities say.
The shooters, described as white supremacists by a spokesperson for Black Lives Matter, fled the scene and no arrests have been made yet. Three victims were transported to a nearby hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
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"Dozens of officers responded almost immediately attending to victims and secured the scene," police said in a statement. "Additional resources were called in and are actively investigating the shootings, interviewing a multitude of witnesses."
White supremacists had already appeared the nights before.
"[A] group of white supremacists showed up at the protest, as they have done most nights," Black Lives Matter spokesperson Miski Noor said.
As protesters attempted to leave the area, the alleged white supremacists "opened fire on about six protestors," Noor said, hitting five of them.
Protestors have gathered near the Minneapolis police precinct for the past week, calling for an investigation into the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Jamar Clark, who died after being shot in the head by a Minneapolis police officer. Witnesses report that Clark was in handcuffs and unarmed when he was shot.
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The suspect may have worn a mask during the shooting.
At least one of the three counter-demonstrators involved in the shooting wore a mask, according to one person who had attended the protest since earlier that evening. Two of the three had reportedly fired guns.
"I am obviously appalled that white supremacists would open fire on nonviolent, peaceful protesters," Nekima Levy-Pounds, president of the Minneapolis chapter of the NAACP, said in a statement.
And in response to the shooting, Jamar Clark's brother, Eddie Sutton, issued this statement:
"Thank you to the community for the incredible support you have shown for our family in this difficult time. We appreciate Black Lives Matter for holding it down and keeping the protests peaceful. But in light of tonight's shootings, the family feels out of imminent concern for the safety of the occupiers, we must get the occupation of the 4th precinct ended and onto the next step."
