Thurman Blevins, 31, was killed by a police officer Saturday
An investigation is underway after police shot and killed a black man Saturday evening in Minneapolis. Police claim 31-year-old Thurman Blevins was firing a handgun as he walked down the street.
The Minneapolis Police Department said in a Facebook post that one 911 caller reported a man firing a gun in the air and into the ground. Another caller said he was shooting a silver 9 millimeter handgun.
« A foot chase ensued, which ended in shots being fired. The armed suspect was pronounced dead at the scene, » police spokesperson John Elder said.
Locals protested peacefully at the scene after the shooting in front of a line of officers standing silently, and they interrupted the city’s Pride parade on Sunday.
« Regardless of what happened tonight, the historical trauma inflicted on communities of color is never far from nearly every facet of our lives, » Mayor Jacob Frey said Saturday.
He added, « Strained relations between law enforcement officials and the communities they serve — especially communities of color — have exacted a toll on the very soul of our city, our region and this nation. »
The shooting comes less than one week after another police officer shot and killed 17-year-old Antwon Rose in Pittsburgh. Recently released video showed Rose running from a car suspected in a drive-by shooting 13 minutes earlier. He was shot three times and later died.
« Three shots to the back. How do you justify that? » protesters chanted Saturday as they marched for the fourth straight night in Pittsburgh.
A new Minneapolis Police Department policy requires officers to turn on their body cameras at least two blocks away from their call location. A department spokesperson said the two officers involved in this shooting did have their body cameras on that footage has not been released yet.
