One SPD officer was being treated for a possible dislocated shoulder during the protests, according to an SPD tweet.
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As more facts emerge in the case, it’s now beginning to appear that not only was the attack a carefully planned attempt to disrupt the demonstration, but the men who participated in the shootings had been radicalized in the course of conversing on websites and in chatrooms where racist and other far-right extremist ideology flourishes. On Wednesday, police also announced the arrest of Joseph Martin Backman, 27, of Minneapolis on suspicion of assault.
Police said they aren’t seeking any more suspects.
“We ain’t going nowhere”, he said, using a bullhorn.
At least some of the men arrested in connection with the shooting had shown up at the Black Lives Matter protests a couple of times. Witnesses say a group of protesters followed the masked men to a street corner where the men pulled out weapons and began firing. Minnesota NAACP leader Raeisha Williams accused the police of complicity in the shooting on CNN on Tuesday, claiming: “We believe the police department is facilitating the injustice, bullying the protesters”.
Clark’s funeral comes two days after shots were fired at protesters, leaving five with injuries that are not life-threatening. The Star Tribune reported that dozens of area residents donated heaters, tents and food for the event. Participants took time to pray for Clark and his family. State investigators have said they have video, but none of it showed the incident in its entirety, and they would not release it until their investigation is complete. One of the shooting victims was shot in the stomach and remains in the hospital. Another, who had been shot in the arm, was yelling that his limb was numb and he needed help.
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Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said the deadline extension for charges will expire at noon Monday. “And they can’t stop us from making sure that black lives do matter”.
