Minnesota prosecutors on Monday filed felony charges against four men in connection with the wounding of protesters near a demonstration that has continued outside a Minneapolis police station since the fatal police shooting of a black man. “They refer to African Americans in derogatory terms, say they are going to do some “reverse cultural enriching” and “make the fire rise.’ Scarsella says they are on a ‘search and recovery mission” and J.S. displays a handgun and ends the video with the words ‘stay white'”. But added, “The feds have got some different statutes”. Five black men were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
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If convicted, Scarsella faces up to five years in prison and $10,000 in fines on the riot charge and up to 10 years in prison and $20,000 in fines on each assault charge. Some community members have alleged he was handcuffed when he was shot, which police dispute, and have called for video to be released.
In a YouTube video posted on Black Lives Matter’s Facebook page November 19, two men identify themselves to viewers as “SaigaMarine” and “Black Powder Ranger” (who has been identified as Scarsella) while driving to the 4th Precinct site. After a group of protesters attempted to escort them away, eight shots were heard.
The state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which is investigating the case, says handcuffs were found at the scene but it isn’t clear whether Clark was cuffed at the time of the shooting.
“Sadly, the continued presence at the Fourth Precinct has attracted people from outside our neighborhood and our city who intend to cause harm, people with violent agendas that are not aligned with peaceful protesters”, the letter said.
Review of 4th Precinct surveillance video as well as video from private citizens shows the four suspects interacting with protesters immediately before the shooting, according to the complaint.
Meanwhile demonstrators have remained camped out for two weeks outside the police station, and have appealed to people on social media to provide firewood, hot food, drinks, and hand warmers.
Prosecutors have until noon charge the men, ages 27, 26, 23 and 21.
Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges called Monday morning for demonstrators to stop camping out near the 4th Precinct, a plea echoed by Rep. Keith Ellison, a Democrat who represents the area in Congress, and the Minneapolis Urban League. “We can take the sidewalk”, said Martin. She said campfires are making the air harmful to neighboring children and older people with respiratory problems, and the barricades are blocking access for emergency vehicles and snowplows.
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Investigators learned that Scarsella lived in Bloomington, and he was arrested there on Tuesday, Nov. 24. The lawsuit says Schwarze also threatened to beat that passenger and another if they left the vehicle.
