George Floyd death: Minneapolis erupts in violence, fires; 1 killed near protest site

MINNEAPOLIS — Multiple fires and violence erupted in Minneapolis late Wednesday after a man's death in police custody sparked another night of protests.

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According to The Associated Press, hundreds of protesters gathered near the Minneapolis Police Department's 3rd Precinct station Wednesday, two days after the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old restaurant security guard who lived in St. Louis Park. A 10-minute viral video of Floyd's arrest Monday showed a police officer holding his knee to Floyd’s neck. Floyd was later pronounced dead.

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Minneapolis Police remove barricades set by protesters during a demonstration over the killing of George Floyd by a policeman outside the Third Police Precinct on May 27, 2020, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (KEREM YUCEL/AFP via Getty Images)

Four officers involved in the incident were fired Tuesday. Authorities, including the FBI, are investigating the case.

Although a Minneapolis police spokesman said protests were generally peaceful Tuesday night, officers deployed tear gas and rubber bullets as violence broke out during demonstrations late Wednesday, the New York Times reported. Nearby, a man was shot and killed outside a pawn shop, according to the Star Tribune. Authorities, who have arrested a suspect in the case, said a looting incident had sparked the shooting.

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On Thursday morning, at least five fires were burning in the city, including one at an AutoZone store, the Star Tribune reported. Looting also occurred at several businesses, including Cub Foods, Target and a liquor store, according to the newspaper.

Mayor Jacob Frey urged protesters overnight to "help in keeping the peace."

"Please, Minneapolis, we cannot let tragedy beget more tragedy," he tweeted early Thursday.

Protesters also took to the streets in other cities late Wednesday, including Los Angeles and Memphis, Tennessee.

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– The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Minneapolis protests People face off with police near the Minneapolis 3rd Police Precinct on Tuesday, May 26, 2020. (Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Star Tribune via Getty Images)

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