Police union head criticizes media, city leaders for reaction to Thurman Blevins shooting
Minneapolis Police Federation head Lt. Bob Kroll has slammed city leaders and local media for their response to Thurman Blevins' shooting at the hands of police officers.
In a statement sent to media and posted on the federation Facebook page, accusing it of double standards for not applying the same coverage and scrutiny to fatal shootings not involving police.
Last Saturday, Minneapolis police shot dead 31 year old Thurman Blevins, who police say was fleeing after a report that he was firing a gun into the air.
The killing has sparked calls for greater transparency and accountability from the city's black community, as well as promises from Mayor Jacob Frey that body camera footage of the incident would be released as soon as legally possible.
But Kroll argues that the level focus on the shooting is unwarranted.
"Less than one in every 100 people killed in this city is by police," he writes. "And that's all this community and politicians care about Is the less than 1%." [sic].
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Posting on Thursday, Kroll added: "I hope the media is a buzz today requesting feedback and outrage from Mayor, City Council, Nekima, BLM and community leaders for the fact that there were 3 shot and 2 murdered last night.
"One a block away from the officer involved last Saturday. Think if that armed gunman was still at large? Responsible, balanced journalism folks. Let's have it."
Kroll was referring two fatal shootings in Minneapolis on Wednesday night, one in south Minneapolis and one in north.
The two officers involved in Blevins' death, officers Justin Schmidt and Ryan Kelly, are on paid leave while the shooting is investigated by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA).
Here's Kroll's full post.
