The National Guard was stationed in Minneapolis in the early morning hours on Monday, after hundreds of people rioted and looted following the fatal shooting of a man who tried to flee from the police.
The Warrant
The police stopped the 20-year-old Daunte Wright in Brooklyn Center on Sunday afternoon. The reason for this was an outstanding warrant.
They claimed that he was shot after he jumped back into his car and tried to escape from them. Unfortunately, his car crashed several blocks away.
Protest And Protesters Making The Move
According to the Star Tribune, hundreds of protesters gathered, looting and trashing some 20 stores.
The paper claimed:
"Police used tear gas, flashbangs, and rubber bullets on the crowd. National Guard troops arrived just before midnight as looters targeted the Brooklyn Center Walmart and nearby shopping mall. Several businesses around the Walmart were completely destroyed, including Foot Locker, T Mobile, and a New York men's clothing store."
This riot continued to spread across Minneapolis. And in the end, there were many reports of other looted stores in Uptown.
Regimen
The Brooklyn Center Mayor, Mike Elliott, ordered a curfew until 6 a.m. This situation escalated too quickly, so there wasn't any other way to calm the raging people.
Mayor Elliott shared his condolences:
"Our entire community is filled with grief following today's officer-involved shooting of Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old young man. Our hearts are with his family and with all those in our community impacted by this tragedy."
Additionally, all school buildings were shut down on Monday.
But that wasn't the only thing planned for Monday. More National Guard members were set to arrive in order to take control over the situation.
The Mayor added:
"While we await additional information from the BCA [Bureau of Criminal Apprehension] who is leading the investigation, we continue to ask that members of our community gathering do so peacefully, amid our calls for transparency and accountability."
Monitoring The Situation
Tim Walz, the Democratic Minnesota Governor, wrote on Twitter that he was closely monitoring the situation. He also added that he was praying for Daunte Wright's family as the state mourns another life of a Black man taken by law enforcement.
Other Police Reports
For a press release, the police shared their points:
"Brooklyn Center Police Department officers initiated a stop for a traffic violation. Officers determined that the driver of the vehicle had an outstanding warrant. At one point, as officers were attempting to take the driver into custody, the driver re-entered the vehicle."
Then, they added a further explanation:
"One officer discharged their firearm, striking the driver. The vehicle traveled several blocks before striking another vehicle. Officers in pursuit and responding medical personnel attempted life-saving measures, but the person died at the scene."
Press-Conference
At a press conference that happened on early Monday morning, John Harrington, a Commissioner from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, shared the details.
He explained how protesters swarmed the area, jumped on top of police cars, and threw rocks and bottles at police. Marchers also descended upon the Brooklyn Center Police Department building.
A Star Tribune report claimed:
"Protesters pushed past police tape and confronted officers donning riot gear. Around 7:15 p.m., the crowd broke the windshields of two squad cars and police fired nonlethal rounds to try to disperse the crowd. By 8:30 p.m., the remaining crowd gathered to light candles, burn sage and write messages in chalk on the street near the scene."
The paper also interviewed the mother of Daunte Wright, Katie Wright.
She tearfully pleaded near the scene Sunday afternoon for more information. As a mother, she was desperate to take her son's body and wanted to move it from the street.
In times like these, peace is often out of the picture. And even peaceful protests know to escalate quickly because people are desperate and eager for justice.
Katy also urged the protesters to remain peaceful. Hopefully, everything will remain under control, and the family will find solace, and justice will be served.
