Video footage filmed by a drone was aired on NBC News showing the flaming devastation in Minneapolis after people rioted, looted shops and set fire to buildings and vehicles. The trigger was the death of black man George Floyd while in police custody earlier this week.
At least 16 structures were on fire early Thursday, said the Minneapolis Fire Department, citing 911 logs. Much of the violence Wednesday night broke out along East Lake Street as Mayor Jacob Frey pleaded for peace. “Please, Minneapolis, we cannot let tragedy beget more tragedy,” Frey said in a statement Thursday morning.
Four Minneapolis police officers were fired after one of them was shown on camera putting his knee on the neck of Floyd while in handcuffs, for about eight minutes. Floyd, whom police approached while responding to a call about a forgery at a nearby store, was recorded pleading with Officer Derek Chauvin “Please, please, please, I can’t breathe.”
Floyd’s death is being investigated by the FBI and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
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