Protestors in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota clashed with the police on Sunday night, the New York Times reported, after a police officer had fatally shot a Black driver in the area.
The city is close to Minneapolis, where the George Floyd murder trial is currently underway. A former police officer has been charged with killing Floyd in 2020.
The protestors in Brooklyn Center raised slogans like “Black lives they matter here” and “Hands up, don’t shoot” during the demonstrations. The victim has been identified as the 20-year-old Daunte Wright, the report added.
According to Wright’s mother, she was on the phone with him when he was asked to stop by the police. “He said they pulled him over because he had air fresheners hanging from his rearview mirror,” she was quoted as saying. The police had questions about the vehicle insurance too.
The mother reportedly heard her son put the phone down or drop it when he was asked to step out of the car by the police. She then heard an officer say, “Daunte, don’t run.”
Wright’s girlfriend, who was in the car with him, informed his mother shortly after their conversation that he had been shot.
According to the police, Wright was asked to pull over for a traffic violation. The police officers tried to arrest him but he went back inside his car, the police’s version of the incident said. “One officer discharged their firearm, striking the driver. The vehicle then travelled several blocks before striking another vehicle,” the statement read.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!