INQUISITR.COM / News & Politics

BREAKING: Alleged White Supremacists Just Shot Several Black Lives Matter Protesters In Minneapolis

By Janice Malcolm
Published on: 20:14 PST, Nov 23, 2015

The ongoing peaceful protest for Jamar Clark, a black man who was fatally shot by police, and the Black Lives Matter movement in Minneapolis suddenly turned violent Monday night when shots were fired into the crowd. Reportedly the shots came from white supremacists who had interrupted the protest once before.

The protest and shooting took place a mere block away from the police department’s 4th Precinct on Morgan Ave N. at 10:45 p.m. in the same place that the peaceful sit-in for Jamar Clark has been ongoing since his death on November 15. Miski Noor, a media contact for Black Lives Matter, indicated that this is not the first time white supremacists have showed up to the protest of the 24-year-old’s death. This group of three had arrived in the early evening to heckle the protesters and would not leave. It was inferred that they were white supremacists based on their behavior, and the protesters tried to get them to go away by attempting to herd the group. At least a dozen of the protesters joined the efforts before the white supremacists turned on them and opened fire.

Five people were shot. AP confirmed the amount and authorities stated that all five persons wounded by the gun shots had non-life threatening wounds. Police department Deputy Chief Medaria Arradondo, who was at the scene, said that the gunshot victims were taken to North Memorial Medical Center and Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC). Someone at the scene stated that one gun shot victim was hit in the stomach and was undergoing overnight surgery. Another person reported seeing two black men who were present get shot, one in the back and leg and the other man in the arm.

President of the Minneapolis chapter of the NAACP, Nekima Levy-Pounds was at the protest and is shocked that such an atrocity occurred.

“I am obviously appalled that white supremacists would open fire on non-violent, peaceful protesters.”

There are no suspects in custody at this time, as the attackers fled after the shooting. Police are said to be looking for three white males, of which two were actively seen shooting at the protesters. At least one of the three wore a mask, but police have stated that all three came to the protest outfitted in bullet proof vests.

After the shootings, many of the 200 protesters remained at the venue. Many have reported that police were macing protesters after the shootings. It was also relayed that it took over five minutes for an ambulance to respond to the multiple calls made after the shootings.

Star Tribune wrote that, in the wake of the shootings, Jamar’s brother, Eddie Sutton issued a statement early Tuesday morning.

“Thank you to the community for the incredible support you have shown for our family in this difficult time. We appreciate Black Lives Matter for holding it down and keeping the protests peaceful. But in light of tonight’s shootings, the family feels out of imminent concern for the safety of the occupiers, we must get the occupation of the 4th precinct ended and onto the next step.”

Jamar Clark was allegedly shot during a struggle with police after he tried to interfere with paramedics attempting to assist an assault victim. Witnesses to Clark’s death tell a different story, stating that Jamar Clark was actually handcuffed and the police shot him while he was on the ground. The state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said it has video from the ambulance, a mobile police camera and other sources, but none of the footage has been released, not even to the deceased’s family.

The peaceful protest was also an attempt to get lawmakers to release the video showing Jamar Clark’s death.

[Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images]

Share this article: BREAKING: Alleged White Supremacists Just Shot Several Black Lives Matter Protesters In Minneapolis
Black Lives Matter
More from Inquisitr