Minneapolis Police Say 5 Shot Near Protest For Jamar Clark
Source: Siede Preis / Getty
Minneapolis police said five people were shot late Monday night near the site of an ongoing protest over the fatal shooting of a black man by a police officer, however none of the five suffered life-threatening injuries. The shootings occurred late Monday night about a block from the police department’s 4th Precinct, where protesters have been demonstrating since the shooting of 24-year-old Jamar Clark on Nov. 15.
In a news release police department spokesman John Elder said that officers responded to the sound of gunshots around 10:40 p.m. and 911 calls shortly after reported five people had been shot. The statement also said dozens of officers assisted victims and secure the scene.
According to Elder, three victims were taken to a hospital in a private vehicle, and two were transported by ambulance. All had injuries that were not life-threatening.
It wasn’t immediately clear what prompted the shooting or how many suspects police were searching for. The statement revealed that no one was in custody, and police are interviewing witnesses, which is why they’re asking that anyone with information come forward.
Oluchi Omeoga, who has been participating in protests since last Monday, witnessed the incident. Omeoga said protesters saw three people wearing masks who “weren’t supposed to be there.”
Eventually, the three people left the crowd and began walking down the street, and a few protesters followed. However when they reached a corner Omeoga said the three people pulled out weapons and gunshots rang out.
The scene early Tuesday was quiet, with about 200 people milling around and talking and lit campfires kept protesters warm amid freezing temperatures. Clark’s family, in a statement attributed to his brother Eddie Sutton and issued through U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison’s office, thanked protesters for “the incredible support” they have shown the family.
Authorities have said Clark was shot during a struggle with police after he interfered with paramedics who were trying to assist an assault victim. However some people who said they saw the shooting allege Clark was handcuffed.
Protesters as well as Clark’s family have been calling for investigators to release video of the shooting. The state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said it has video from the ambulance, a mobile police camera and other sources, but none of it shows the event in its entirety.
The agency, which is conducting a state investigation, said releasing the footage now would taint its investigation. A federal criminal civil rights investigation is also underway to determine whether police intentionally violated Clark’s civil rights through excessive force.
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