Minneapolis Police: 'Hostile' Crowds Are Impeding Officers' Jobs

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minneapolis Police Department says its officers are encountering "hostile" crowds that impede their duties in the city. Relations between residents and the police force have grown especially strained following the death of George Floyd and the protests that ensued.

At 11:25 p.m. Friday, police responded to the scene of a shooting at 39th Street and Chicago, one block away from the Floyd memorial site. Police were told that a man shot himself and that bystanders were starting CPR.

"Officers responded to provide aid to a shooting victim at 39th and Chicago," the department said in a news release. "Unfortunately, officers are still encountering some instances where crowds are hostile and impeding with officer’s lawful duties."

The man who was shot was transported to Hennepin Healthcare, where he was pronounced dead. An investigation is underway.

Police say they encountered more hostility responding to another scene at the same time Friday.

Squads responded to a report of multiple people shot in the area of 54th Street East and 28th Avenue Street.

Officers at the scene found two people with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. "The scene became hostile towards police," the department states. "Additional officers were needed to be called in for support."

The gunshot victims were transported to Hennepin Healthcare. A man was arrested and a gun was recovered.

Efforts to reform, or even abolish, the Minneapolis Police Department

Last week, the Minneapolis City Council officially committed via resolution to begin a year-long process of community engagement, research and structural change with the goal of creating a new model for city safety.

There's little known of what the new public safety model might look like, but council members promise it will be "transformative."

Earlier this month, a majority of the City Council pledged to end the Minneapolis Police Department.

Read more here.