MINNESOTA — Demonstrators were gathering, protesting, vandalizing and looting in Minneapolis Wednesday night after a homicide suspect killed himself in broad daylight.
As officers approached the unidentified suspect near 8th & Nicollet, he produced a gun, walked to the entrance of a business and fatally shot himself in the head. A terrified group of bystanders were directly next to him when he pulled the trigger.
Shortly after the unrest began, the Minneapolis police department released surveillance video of the event.
WARNING: Footage May Be Disturbing To Some Viewers.
WARNING GRAPHIC: Unrest Grows In Downtown Minneapolis After Murder Suspect Kills Himself on Sidewalk
Following the shooting, people began spreading rumors that police officers killed the man–and that he was unarmed. Police never fired a single round. pic.twitter.com/Lnz2ydaQtx
— GrantB911 (@GrantB911) August 27, 2020
“This evening, a murder suspect committed suicide as police approached them,” the department said in a statement. “No officer weapons were fired. This is a tragedy for our community that is still hurting. Our condolences go to the families of the victims.”
Following the shooting, people began spreading rumors that police officers killed the man–and that he was unarmed. Police never fired a single round.
Just got robbed at gunpoint in Minneapolis for my bulletproof vest and backpack
— Kyle Hooten (@KyleHooten2) August 27, 2020
#BLM have started looting again. This comes from a Target in Downtown #minneapolis. pic.twitter.com/uQbwHGGhVh
— The Anti-Communist (@CommunismKills_) August 27, 2020
#Breaking: Reports of massive mass looting and rioting going on in Down town #Minneapolis right now! pic.twitter.com/lqvfG456mp
— Sotiri Dimpinoudis (@Sotiridi1) August 27, 2020
Saks getting looted now in #Minneapolis. pic.twitter.com/feJjd860J6
— Simulation Warlord???????? (@zerosum24) August 27, 2020
The Mayor has called in the National Guard and a curfew was enacted immediately.
Minneapolis police have already established a perimeter around much of the looted areas: pic.twitter.com/Jp0Hu8z2BV
— Kyle Hooten (@KyleHooten2) August 27, 2020
Police taking ppl out of broken Foot Locker windows and making arrests pic.twitter.com/UK9QDWREXw
— Andy Mannix (@AndrewMannix) August 27, 2020
Ppl breaking into Nordstrom's pic.twitter.com/2oWqy7Pk0S
— Andy Mannix (@AndrewMannix) August 27, 2020
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz wrote on Twitter, “Minneapolis, it’s time to heal. We must rebuild and recover. Dangerous, unlawful behavior will not be tolerated. The State Patrol is headed to Minneapolis to help restore order. I remain in close contact with the city and every state resource stands ready to help bring peace.”