Protests Rage in Minneapolis After Unarmed Black Man Killed in Police Shooting
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Members of the Black Lives Matter movement protested outside the Minneapolis Police precinct in North Minneapolis late Wednesday in response to the fatal shooting of a 24-year-old unarmed Black man, according to media reports.
RELATED: Minneapolis Coroner Rules Jamar Clark's Death a Homicide
Jamar Clark was shot on Nov. 15, the Atlantic reports. His family announced on Monday that he was taken off life support. The incident occurred early Sunday morning after police were called in response to a domestic dispute that involved Clark and his girlfriend. Police say Clark was interfering as EMTs put his girlfriend in an ambulance, and a struggle ensued, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
Protestors began to gather Sunday at the intersection where the shooting occurred, as well as at the police precinct where the officers who shot Clark are employed. The protesting has continued to intensify throughout the week, and 51 protestors were arrested after shutting down a freeway in the area, a local CBS affiliate reports.
But witnesses like neighbor Nekelia Sharp say that Clark was shot after he was handcuffed and knocked to the ground by police, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports.
RELATED: MINNEAPOLIS POLICE ALLEGEDLY SHOT THIS HANDCUFFED MAN EXECUTION STYLE
Late Wednesday night the protests continued as reports of police aiming concussion grenades and chemical irritants at protestors came through on social media. Protestors and commenters started the hashtag #4thPrecinctShutdown on Twitter to report what they are seeing on the ground.
The sad thing is that as a kid I was programmed to accept it cuz thats "just how it is".. #JusticeForJamar
— KNINE (@KNINE_) November 18, 2015Cops are aiming concussion grenades and chemical irritants directly at protesters #4thprecinctshutdown pic.twitter.com/HvkWxnvWFO
— |||| || ||| | |||| | (@micamaryjane) November 19, 2015The officers involved in the shooting have been identified as Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze, according to the local Minneapolis NBC affiliate. Both have reportedly worked at the department for 13 months.
Lt. Bob Kroll, President of the Minneapolis Police Federation, reportedly told local media that Clark was attempting to disarm an officer during an altercation, and that he was not handcuffed.
This is a developing story. Check back for more details as they become available.
