Man Hit Minneapolis Sergeant With 15-Pound Trash Can Lid: Charges

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — A Minneapolis man is accused of throwing a 15-pound garbage can lid at a police sergeant during last week's street violence and vandalism in downtown. Brayshaun Gibson, 28, faces second and third-degree assault charges.

Gibson was also charged with one count of second-degree riot and one count of third-degree burglary.

On Aug. 26, a police sergeant was about to enter his squad car downtown when Gibson threw the metal lid, striking the sergeant in the head and knocking him unconscious, according to police.

FOX 9 has published video of the incident.

Later, Gibson was seen entering a department store through a broken window and merchandise from the store was recovered from his car, the criminal complaint states.

Civil unrest sparked by misinformation

Vandalism on Aug. 28 began after a man fatally shot himself downtown. There were false rumors spread on social media that Minneapolis police shot him.

In a rare move, the city quickly released video of the graphic incident online, citing the need to quell rumors and end the civil unrest. The video was taken down the next 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 in Minneapolis by multiple agencies on various offenses that included riot, burglary, damage to property and curfew. 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