Police have announced at 9:51 that a suspect in the shooting of five protesters in Minneapolis has been arrested. The first suspect is a 23-year-old white man who was arrested in Bloomington.
MPD arrest 23y/o white male in Bloomington related to last night’s shooting near 4th PCT. Addl’ suspects sought. Info call 612-692-TIPS.
— Minneapolis Police (@MinneapolisPD) November 24, 2015
Shortly after, a 21-year-old and 26-year-old both turned themselves in to police custody, both white men. A 32-year-old Hispanic man arrested in south Minneapolis, but he was later released after questioning. The peaceful demonstration for Jamar Clark and Black Lives Matter exploded into violence late Monday night in Minneapolis when suspected white supremacists opened fire on the protesters. The AP confirmed with police that five people had been shot, supporting what many other protesters stated via Twitter. John Elder, Minneapolis police spokesman, confirmed that number and that three were assisted to the hospital by private vehicle.
TWEET ABOUT SCANNER REPORT 3 walked to hospital, 2 tended on site by EMS #4thPrecinctShutDown https://t.co/GKGkBTNgB4 — liza sabater (@blogdiva) November 24, 2015
Protesters have alleged that the shooters were white supremacists based on their earlier behavior and presence at the rally, and police and others say that they may have been equipped with bullet-proof vests. Misky Noor, a Black Lives Matter spokeswoman, told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, “A group of white supremacists showed up at the protest, as they have done most nights.” Protesters tried to eject them peacefully when they suddenly opened fire about a block away from the 4th precinct. Jie Wronski-Riley, another protester, heard what sounded like firecrackers and thought, “surely they’re not shooting human beings.” Then two men nearby were hit—one struck in the arm, one in the leg and back. Wronski-Riley alleged that two of the men earlier threatening protesters were the shooters. She said the scene was “really chaotic, really fast.” Nekima Levy-Pounds, president of the Minneapolis chapter of the NAACP, backed the white supremacist narrative by the protesters, stating, “I am obviously appalled that white supremacists would open fire on nonviolent, peaceful protesters.”
There have also been videos uncovered that show armed white men in the area, threatening protesters, though it is not known at this time if these men are the men arrested.
VIDEO: Last night 2 white supremacists, one carrying a pistol, showed up to our peaceful protest at the 4th precinct. After community members on livestream started questioning them they left without incident, then we later found a video of them en route to the protest brandishing a pistol and making comments including “stay white” and justifying the killing of Jamar Clark. It has come to our attention that members of this group plan on returning tonight to our candlelight vigil at 4:30, some may come armed. Posted by Black Lives Matter Minneapolis on Friday, November 20, 2015
DeRay Mckesson, activist and outspoken advocate for black rights, was on the scene and reported that there were incidents of police macing protesters at the scene after the shootings. Other live reports corroborate the use of mace by police.
.@MinneapolisPD & @MayorHodges, this is a lie. We just got maced through a fence by the police. https://t.co/vlynWmDYhz — deray mckesson (@deray) November 19, 2015
Furthermore, activist @micamaryjane was on the scene and stated that it took 15 minutes for ambulances to arrive and provide support for the wounded protesters.
Multiple people called for an ambulance including me, it took at least 15 min for an ambulance to arrive #4thPrecinctShutDown — |||| || ||| | |||| | (@micamaryjane) November 24, 2015 Witness states it took police 15-20mins to respond #4thPrecinctShutDown pic.twitter.com/JvomJBMGeD — Micky Black (@mickynoir) November 24, 2015
Police have stated that all wounds were non-life threatening and that those hurt are now well. One protester was taken into surgery, but is stable at this time.
Protesters were staging a demonstration around the 4th Precinct in Minneapolis to protest the killing of Jamar Clark, whom witnesses say was handcuffed on the ground when shot by the police. Protesters have been demanding justice and the release of video surveillance footage that the police have acknowledged exists but have not yet released.
Clark’s family has released a statement via Eddie Sutton, Jamar Clark’s brother. He thanked them for their support, then continued, “But 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 Fourth precinct ended and onto the next step.”
Black Lives Matter and local organizers were planning to release a new strategy this Tuesday morning, following a weekend of planning.
The post UPDATE: Three Minneapolis Shooting Suspects in Custody appeared first on U.S. Uncut.