Answers Sought In Minneapolis Killing During Violent Protests

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Authorities are asking for the public's help in the case of a fatal shooting that happened on Lake Street during the violent protests over the death of George Floyd. Calvin Horton Jr. died from a shotgun wound to his torso on the night of May 27.

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said Horton was shot in or "very near" Cadillac Pawn & Jewelry in the 1500 block of East Lake Street.

The pawn shop owner, John Rieple, was arrested the night of the shooting and was held in the Hennepin County Jail for several days. He was released pending further investigation.

So far, that investigation has only one witness who saw part of the incident, according to Freeman. Investigators have not found any surveillance camera video showing the incident.

The crime scene was chaotic that night, with many people in and around the pawn shop, according to authorities. People pelted police officers as they tried to provide first aid to Horton, and they attacked officers again after the ambulance left and they tried to investigate the crime scene, authorities said.

The officers retreated, and investigators were unable to safely return to the crime scene until the next day, according to police.

“We need the help of anyone who was in or around Cadillac Pawn at the time of the shooting,” Freeman said in a news release. "We need to know what happened several minutes before the shooting and then the shooting itself."

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Crimestoppers at 800-222-8477 or online at www.crimestoppersmn.org.