Man Died By Suicide On Nicollet Mall: Medical Examiner

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The Hennepin County Medical Examiner Friday confirmed that Eddie Frank Jr. Sole, the 38-year-old Black man who died on the Nicollet Mall Wednesday, killed himself. Officials ruled the death a suicide, backing up the report from the Minneapolis Police Department.

Civil unrest sparked by misinformation

Vandalism Wednesday night began after Sole fatally shot himself. There were unsubstantiated claims made on social media that police shot him.

In a rare move, the city quickly released video of the graphic incident on social media, citing the need to quell rumors and end the civil unrest. The video was taken down Thursday morning.

Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey both condemned the vandals in late-night news conferences and told people downtown that they must return home.

A total of 132 people were arrested by multiple agencies on various offenses that included riot, burglary, damage to property and curfew Wednesday night in Minneapolis. Vandals damaged dozens of businesses downtown and in the Loring Park neighborhood.

Read more:

• Photos: Downtown Minneapolis Recovers After Wednesday's Vandalism
• Vietnamese Restaurant Owner Decries 'Heartbreaking' Vandalism