MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) Hundreds of protesters gathered on a second night outside the Brooklyn Central Police Station, a day after one of the city’s officials shot and killed 20-year-old Daunte Wright in a car stop.
Curfew takes effect Monday at 7pm in Hennepin County, as well as Anoka, Dakota, and Ramsey counties. The protesters did not flinch as they shouted outside the fenced-in area. In addition to Brooklyn Center police officers, state soldiers and members of the Minnesota National Guard were stationed outside the police station.
An officer had just removed the Blue Thin Outline flag from outside the police station @WCCO pic.twitter.com/LphYxf2TUV
– David Schuman (@david_schuman) April 13, 2021
WCCO’s David Schuman reported that at around 7:45 pm, a disbandment order was issued.
The 7pm curfew execution (about 50 minutes ago) seemed imminent. Hundreds of protesters are still outside the Brooklyn Central Police Department. The crowd doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.@WCCO https://t.co/81Ib4SGbMk
Jeff Wagner (@ Jeff_Wagner4) April 13, 2021
The second scatter order was issued just after 8pm
NOTE: Public safety at the Brooklyn Central Police Department and on Humboldt Avenue issued a second disbandment order. Clean up the area. Curfew is in effect in Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka and Dakota counties. Go home or you will be arrested. #MNOSN #OperationSafetyNet
– Minnesota OSN (@Min CitiesOSN) April 13, 2021
The third scatter command was given at around 8:20 p.m., but to no avail.
LISTEN: The crowd made a loud mockery when the police ordered a dissolution. Tonight is the third trip, no one is moving. Curfew is 7pm pic.twitter.com/ZKKt8Pck2z
– David Schuman (@david_schuman) April 13, 2021
Shortly thereafter, law enforcement began deploying containers of tear gas and sparks, some of which landed near an apartment building across from the police station.
They had just launched a few cans of tear gas to the doorstep of the apartments across the street @WCCO pic.twitter.com/bemoDYH022
– David Schuman (@david_schuman) April 13, 2021
Protesters began firing fireworks at law enforcement in response to their use of more lethal weapons.
Flashbangs are being counterattacked with fireworks now pic.twitter.com/XUFnPqdh0R
– David Schuman (@david_schuman) April 13, 2021
The amount of tear gas deployed by the police immediately pushed many in the crowd away from the front of the police station just before 9:00 pm.
This was the first time I saw law enforcement outside the fence that surrounded the Brooklyn Central Police Department. Forming at the end of the block. Tear gas is fired after a few minutes pic.twitter.com/yjAtptO5PY
– David Schuman (@david_schuman) April 13, 2021
Just after 9pm, law enforcement began to enter the crowd and shoot rubber bullets. At the same time, Brooklyn Central City Council voted in favor of banning their police officers from using rubber bullets and chemical stimulants to control crowds, as well as containment techniques. called “kettling”.
The crowd was greatly thinning by 10:30 p.m., as law enforcement expanded their siege.
The police set up their line at this gas station just a few blocks from the office. Their girth has grown considerably.
The protesters were still here but the single large group had definitely disbanded. pic.twitter.com/pJmmdl6f7R
– David Schuman (@david_schuman) April 13, 2021
According to Sheriff Tim Gannon, Wright was arrested because the tabs expired on Sunday afternoon, and after the police learned of his arrest warrant, they asked him to leave his car. Full-body camera footage released on Monday showed Wright trying to get back to his car after an officer tried to handcuff him.
Another officer pulled out her gun and pointed it at Wright while shouting “Taser”, the video showed. Then she shot Wright before saying, “My God, I just shot him.”
The officer has been on administrative parole and the Minnesota Criminal wanted department is investigating Wright’s death.
The incident led to clashes between protesters and police on Sunday night. Robbery and turmoil also flooded Minneapolis.
