Dozens Arrested After Second Night of Violent Protests

(KNSI) — Police and protesters clashed for the second night in a row as tensions flared following the fatal officer-involved shooting of Daunte Wright in Brooklyn Center Sunday afternoon.

About 40 arrests were made overnight as a 7:00 p.m. curfew went into place but was ignored by hundreds as bottles, rocks, concrete chunks, fireworks, and frozen cans of pop were hurled at officers as they held the line against the angry mob that had shown up at the Brooklyn Center Police Department.

Minnesota State Patrol Colonel Matt Langer says law enforcement showed amazing restraint under the conditions.

“The troopers and the officers, deputies and conservation officers stood and protected that building courageously and bravely and were shelled pretty significantly with objects by the crowd.”

Last May, an angry mob, upset over George Floyd’s death, burned the Minneapolis Police Third Precinct to the ground. The Third Precinct was where the four officers accused in Floyd’s death worked. City leaders reportedly urged Mayor Jacob Frey and Police Chief Maderia Arradondo to let the precinct go, believing that they were fueling an already intense situation by protecting the building with a heavy police presence.

Reports of shots fired and looting surfaced overnight in both Brooklyn Center, and Minneapolis as a thousand Minnesota National Guard members took to the streets to help law enforcement.

Assistant Public Safety Commissioner Booker Hodges thanked those who came out peacefully to protest the killing but said he was disappointed in others, adding, “For months we’ve been saying that riotous behavior is just not going to be tolerated and unfortunately tonight, that is some of the things that we encountered.”

Monday, less than 24 hours after the shooting, police released bodycam footage showing the shooting. Chief Tim Gannon said he believes the shooting was accidental and that the officer meant to reach for her taser but drew her firearm instead. There are calls for both of them to be fired. The Brooklyn Center City Manager, who was in charge of the police department, was fired at a Monday night City Council meeting, allowing the Mayor to control the department.

Mayor Mike Elliott says he supports firing the officer who pulled the trigger. She is on standard administrative leave. Gannon said that watching the video; it should be easy to ascertain whether the officer will be returning or not.

Wright’s death was ruled a homicide by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner. The Washington County Attorney’s Office will be given the case for possible charges, which they have hinted could come as soon as Tuesday.

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