Police were hunting three white suspects early Tuesday after five people were shot near a protest in Minneapolis over the fatal police shooting of an unarmed black man.
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No one was seriously injured in the shooting that happened about 10:40 p.m. Monday.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minneapolis police are searching for three white male suspects who authorities say shot five Black Lives Matters demonstrators, while the family of a black man who was fatally shot by a police officer has called for the dayslong protests outside of a police precinct to end.
Federal and state authorities have resisted releasing the footage – from an ambulance, mobile police camera, public housing cameras and people’s cellphones – because they said it doesn’t show the full incident and making the recordings public would compromise their investigations. The group was composed of three men and one woman, with three of them wearing masks that left their eyes exposed.
Habu said they tried to escort the four from the scene and they took off running.
“Bam bam bam bam”, he said.
“It happened so fast”, he said.
“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 a next step”, the statement said.
The shooting sparked protests after some witnesses said the man was handcuffed and not resisting when he was shot.
Dayton said he asked to see the tape and watched it Friday. He said he then heard what sounded like firecrackers and thought: “Surely they’re not shooting human beings”.
“I told them, I give you my oath on my word of honor there’s nothing in there that’s going to provide any confirmation that officers acted as some alleged they did”, he said.
Black Lives Matter Minneapolis leaders say they will continue to occupy the area around the precinct at least through Monday night and plan a Tuesday march in the city.
Multiple witnesses say Clark was shot by Minneapolis police when he was handcuffed.
Police have said officers were responding to an assault call and found Clark interfering with paramedics.
Protesters are continuing to demand the release of video footage of the incident in order to help clarify the circumstances surrounding the killing of Clark.
Dayton said he wanted to watch the video because it is ultimately his decision whether to release it. “I am the governor of the state of Minnesota and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension reports to me….”
“It’s my responsibility, knowing this is a very, very volatile situation”, Dayton said, adding that he does not believe his viewing of the footage could jeopardize the investigation.
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“I will also urge the Department of Justice lawyers and the U.S. Attorney to investigate any matters, which occurred in Minneapolis during the past week that may have violated the civil rights of any Minnesota citizens”, he said in the statement.
