One person died and another was injured after a man drove into a road blockade set up by protesters in the Uptown area of Minneapolis late Sunday night, according to the Minneapolis Police Department.
Police say the incident occurred at about 11:39 p.m. as police were monitoring on camera a protest in the area of West Lake Street and Girard Avenue South in Minneapolis. Police say they observed a vehicle traveling eastbound on Lake Street drive into a group of protesters.
Protesters then reportedly pulled the driver out of the vehicle and began to strike him, an MPD press release states. Other online reports and recorded dispatch audio seem to confirm that a person, who the observing officer referred to as a “victim,” was being choked out by one of the protesters.
A photo quickly surfaced online of the apparent suspect being held in what looks like a choke hold by a protester or bystander.
Several squads and EMS personnel were dispatched to the scene, and officers took custody of the driver. MPD originally tweeted that three protesters had been injured but later updated the number to two. The injured parties were transported to HCMC, one of them in “very critical” condition at the time, MPD said. The critically injured person, an adult female, died at the hospital.
The suspect was also transported to an area hospital for treatment of injuries, MPD said. Police said a motive was not known, but a preliminary investigation indicated that the use of drugs or alcohol by the driver may have been a contributing factor in this crash.
Online reports by apparent witnesses or people present on site said the suspect vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed and crashed into a vehicle that was being used as a blockade in the area where protesters were gathered.
The site of the incident where protesters were gathered is near the location of the fatal law enforcement shooting of Winston Smith on June 3 by Hennepin and Ramsey County deputies acting on behalf of a federal task force. Protests and road blockages have been taking place in the area since that time.
This is a developing story. Stay with Alpha News for updates.
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Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
Crime Watch MN
Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
