mick silver
15th November 2015, 03:32 PM
Protests Erupt After Black Man Shot by Police in Minneapolis
By The Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS — Nov 15, 2015, 6:23 PM E
A Minnesota (http://abcnews.go.com/topics/news/minnesota.htm) agency is investigating the shooting and wounding of a black man suspected of an assault by a Minneapolis police officer that has prompted the mayor to schedule a session Sunday evening to hear community concerns about the incident.
The shooting outraged some community members and prompted a protest by the group Black Lives Matter Minneapolis, after some witnesses said the man was handcuffed when he was shot. Police have said their preliminary investigation shows the man was not handcuffed, but the investigation is ongoing.
Jason Sole, chair of the Minneapolis NAACP's criminal justice committee, said many black residents of north Minneapolis are upset.
"We have been saying for a significant amount of time that Minneapolis is one bullet away from Ferguson (http://abcnews.go.com/topics/news/us/ferguson-missouri.htm)," he said referring to the shooting by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri (http://abcnews.go.com/topics/news/missouri.htm) last year of black 18-year-old Michael Brown, which sparked nationwide protests. "That bullet was fired last night. We want justice immediately," Sole said.
Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges and police Chief Janee Harteau said they would hold a listening session with the community Sunday evening.
The shooting happened after police said they were called to north Minneapolis at about 12:45 a.m. Sunday for a report of an assault. When they arrived, the man had returned and was interfering with paramedics who were assisting the victim, police said. Officers tried to calm him, but there was a struggle.
At some point, an officer fired at least once, hitting the man, police said. Witnesses told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that there was a big crowd at the scene, and bystanders became agitated as police pushed them back. Some witnesses said police used a chemical irritant on the crowd.
Harteau said at a news conference Sunday that she asked for the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to conduct an independent investigation.
"We need to know exactly what happened, we need to know the truth," she said. "Everyone involved needs that and deserves that." Harteau also cautioned that there is a lot of speculation about what happened.
Two officers are on paid leave as is standard practice after such an incident. Police said the man is being treated at a hospital, but his condition hasn't been released.
Drew Evans, BCA superintendent, said the agency wants to talk to anyone who saw the shooting or might have video of it. When asked about the handcuffs, Evans said there were handcuffs at the scene, but added that authorities are working to determine the exact situation when he was shot.
Protesters gathered Sunday afternoon at the site of the shooting and marched toward the police station, where they banged on the door of the local precinct and demanded to be allowed inside.
By The Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS — Nov 15, 2015, 6:23 PM E
A Minnesota (http://abcnews.go.com/topics/news/minnesota.htm) agency is investigating the shooting and wounding of a black man suspected of an assault by a Minneapolis police officer that has prompted the mayor to schedule a session Sunday evening to hear community concerns about the incident.
The shooting outraged some community members and prompted a protest by the group Black Lives Matter Minneapolis, after some witnesses said the man was handcuffed when he was shot. Police have said their preliminary investigation shows the man was not handcuffed, but the investigation is ongoing.
Jason Sole, chair of the Minneapolis NAACP's criminal justice committee, said many black residents of north Minneapolis are upset.
"We have been saying for a significant amount of time that Minneapolis is one bullet away from Ferguson (http://abcnews.go.com/topics/news/us/ferguson-missouri.htm)," he said referring to the shooting by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri (http://abcnews.go.com/topics/news/missouri.htm) last year of black 18-year-old Michael Brown, which sparked nationwide protests. "That bullet was fired last night. We want justice immediately," Sole said.
Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges and police Chief Janee Harteau said they would hold a listening session with the community Sunday evening.
The shooting happened after police said they were called to north Minneapolis at about 12:45 a.m. Sunday for a report of an assault. When they arrived, the man had returned and was interfering with paramedics who were assisting the victim, police said. Officers tried to calm him, but there was a struggle.
At some point, an officer fired at least once, hitting the man, police said. Witnesses told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that there was a big crowd at the scene, and bystanders became agitated as police pushed them back. Some witnesses said police used a chemical irritant on the crowd.
Harteau said at a news conference Sunday that she asked for the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to conduct an independent investigation.
"We need to know exactly what happened, we need to know the truth," she said. "Everyone involved needs that and deserves that." Harteau also cautioned that there is a lot of speculation about what happened.
Two officers are on paid leave as is standard practice after such an incident. Police said the man is being treated at a hospital, but his condition hasn't been released.
Drew Evans, BCA superintendent, said the agency wants to talk to anyone who saw the shooting or might have video of it. When asked about the handcuffs, Evans said there were handcuffs at the scene, but added that authorities are working to determine the exact situation when he was shot.
Protesters gathered Sunday afternoon at the site of the shooting and marched toward the police station, where they banged on the door of the local precinct and demanded to be allowed inside.