MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) – The white former Minneapolis police officer shown in video footage using his knee to pin an unarmed black male’s neck to the street was charged with murder on Friday in the man’s death, an incident that has released 4 nights of violent protests.
Derek Chauvin, who was dismissed from the cops department with 3 fellow officers the day after the deadly encounter, was apprehended on third-degree murder and murder charges for his function in Monday’s death of 46- year-old George Floyd.
The charges brought by Hennepin County district attorneys followed a third night of arson, looting and vandalism in Minnesota’s largest city that saw protesters set fire to a police headquarters and the National Guard deployed to help restore order.
Mayor Jacob Frey said he purchased authorities late on Thursday to pull away from the precinct station to prevent an escalation of violence. But on Friday night, law enforcement officers were out in force again.
Authorities had hoped Chauvin’s arrest would allay public anger and avert ongoing discontent. But defying an 8 p.m. curfew imposed by the mayor, about 500 demonstrators clashed anew Friday evening with riot police outside the battered Third Precinct structure.
Authorities, who developed a two-block buffer area around the precinct house, opened fire with tear gas, plastic bullets and concussion grenades, sending out the crowd scattering.
There were likewise sympathy protests on Friday in several cities across the country, including New York, Denver, Houston, Atlanta, Detroit and Louisville, Kentucky.
Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, revealing Chauvin’s arrest earlier in the day, said a crucial piece of