BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. (AP) – Crowds of protestors gathered in a Minneapolis neighborhood where the family of the 20-year-old man was shot and killed
The young man’s death sparked protests in the Brooklyn Center during the early hours of Monday morning. Minneapolis was already on edge due to the trial of the four police officers in George Floyd’s death. Brooklyn Center is a city, home to 30,000 people located on the northwest border of Minneapolis.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz tweeted he was praying for Wright’s family “as our state mourns another life of a Black man taken by law enforcement.”
It didn’t take long for demonstrators to gather after the shooting, with some disrespecting law enforcement and jumping on top of police cars and confronting officers. Protestors also gathered outside the Brooklyn Center police department building, where rocks and other objects were thrown at officers, Minnesota Department of Public Safety commissioner John Harrington said at a news conference. The protesters had largely dispersed by 1:15 a.m. Monday, he said.
Harrington said that around 20 businesses had been broken into at the city’s Shingle Creek shopping center. He said law enforcement agencies were working together and the National Guard was activated.
Multiple storefronts from Xfinity to a men's clothing store continuously looted in Brooklyn Center Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/TZaKENxlqx
— Rebecca Brannon (@RebsBrannon) April 12, 2021
People dancing and celebrating in front of police outside looted stores. pic.twitter.com/ilOVwYNAxz
— Rebecca Brannon (@RebsBrannon) April 12, 2021
Large group of looters has now resumed back at O'Reilly's auto store.
A female looters says, "I need this! I need this!" #BrooklynCenter pic.twitter.com/yYbVfKnVmy
— Rebecca Brannon (@RebsBrannon) April 12, 2021
#BREAKING – A break-in has occurred at the Michigan Ave Nordstrom store. A glass door was smashed in and merchandise could be seen on the floor. Chicago police have saturated the area as they appear with fears of more looting. Now on @CapturedNews #Chicago pic.twitter.com/V29sem9ov8
— Christopher Smith (@chrissmith) April 12, 2021
Inside of #BrooklynCenter Liquor, filmed just now. @MN_CRIME pic.twitter.com/DM4ZIhSJ3z
— The Citizen Reporter (@TCReporter) April 12, 2021
Brooklyn Center police said in a statement that officers had stopped a motorist shortly before 2 p.m. Sunday. Police tried to arrest the driver after determining the driver had an outstanding warrant. The driver however reentered the vehicle and an officer fired at the vehicle, striking the driver, police said.
Police said the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office plans on releasing the person’s name following an autopsy and after the family is notified. A female passenger sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the crash.
Carolyn Hanson lives near the crash scene and she told media that she saw officers pull the man out of the car and perform CPR. Hanson said a passenger that got out was covered in blood.
Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott declared a curfew in the city until 6 a.m. Monday. In a tweet he said, “We want to make sure everyone is safe. Please be safe and please go home.”
Police said Brooklyn Center officers continue to wear body-worn cameras and they also believe dash cameras were activated during the incident. The department said it has asked the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to investigate.
Harrington said more National Guard members would be stationed around the city and in Brooklyn Center in case of further looting.
