The FBI and Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) are investigating after a Minnesota police officer was reportedly filmed Monday with his knee on an African American man’s neck for seven minutes shortly before the man’s death.
WCCO reported that the unidentified Minneapolis police officer was filmed on top of George Floyd, who was unarmed, as he repeatedly says he can’t breathe. The man reportedly goes unconscious moments later.
“He’s not even resisting arrest right now, bro. You’re f**king stopping his breathing right now, you think that’s cool?” a bystander was heard telling responding officers.
Police said the man was arrested Monday evening after he attempted to use forged documents at Cup Foods. Before the encounter, the man, who reportedly appeared intoxicated, was in a blue vehicle.
***WARNING: The following video could be disturbing to some viewers. Please use discretion.***
“After he got out [of the car], he physically resisted officers. Officers were able to get the suspect into handcuffs and officers noticed that the man was going into medical distress,” police spokesman John Elder said Tuesday.
Elder went on to say that the restraint technique seen in the video wouldn’t constitute a department-approved chokehold.
While officials haven’t publicly named the officer involved in Monday’s incident, two sources who spoke with the Star Tribune identified him as Derek Chauvin.
Police Chief Medaria Arradondo revealed that he requested the federal probe upon watching a bystander’s video and after receiving “additional information” about the incident which involved several officers. Arradondo said those officers have been relieved of duty.
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