Minneapolis police shooting bodycam footage to be released Thursday
Minneapolis police chief Medaria Arradondo says bodycam footage showing the fatal shooting of a man by police officers will be released on Thursday.
In a late-night press conference after there was what police described as an "exchange of gunfire" at 36th and Cedar, Arradondo said that witnesses suggest that the victim fired on officers first, though more is expected to be revealed with the release of the footage.
A crowd of people have gathered at the scene of the shooting, along with a growing police presence. Arradondo said officers will not allow for "destructive criminal behavior," and they are also seeking to preserve the scene.
Police say the victim was a "felony suspect," but has not issued any details of what he was suspected.
The shooting happened less than a mile from Chicago and 38th, where George Floyd died during his arrest by Minneapolis police in May.
A crowd gathered around Minneapolis Police Department spokesman John Elder as he gave the initial statement following the shooting, and asked their own questions as he fielded queries from local media.
Elder and MPD were criticized following George Floyd's death after MPD's initial statement described his death as occurring after a "medical incident during police interaction," only for eyewitness footage taken at the scene to show the involvement of four officers.
In a statement Wednesday evening, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called for "complete transparency" in the investigation into the latest incident, which is now being led by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
"Events of this past year have marked some of the darkest days in our city. We know a life has been cut short and that trust between communities of color and law enforcement is fragile," he said.
"Rebuilding that trust will depend on complete transparency. I am working closely with Chief Arradondo to gather all the facts surrounding what happened tonight and will be relaying that information, in coordination with State partners, to community as quickly as possible.
“We must all be committed to getting the facts, pursuing justice, and keeping the peace."
Note: Some of the details provided in this story are based on the police’s latest version of events, and may be subject to change.
