MINNEAPOLIS — A new video shows Minneapolis police officers discussing “hunting people” in unrest following George Floyd ‘s death. Residents will decide if they want to replace their police department with a new agency.
The mayor stated, “We must make sure justice’s done,” without explaining how.
Frey’s challengers, as well as some City Council members, who feel Frey should have done more for the department, were quick to criticize.
Kate Knuth, candidate for the seat, stated in a statement that “He can act now and take necessary steps to make clear that this violent and toxic culture is unacceptable” and would hold him accountable. We have a mayor who fights to maintain the status quo that got us here, instead of giving steady leadership and answering questions.
Lisa Bender, City Council President, tweeted: “Also galling was spending the last year under the carpet this violent behavior.” Bender continued by saying that zero officers had been disciplined. According to the city’s website, in 2020 and 2021 one officer was fired, one was resigned in place of suspension, and one was suspended. Numerous officers also received letters of reprimand.
The body camera video captured the incidents on the night May 30, 2020 and into the early hours May 31, five days following Floyd’s death and two days after rioters set fire to a Minneapolis police station.
Officer Garrett Parten, police spokesperson, stated this week that an investigation into internal affairs is ongoing and declined to comment further. Frey said to the Star Tribune that he was afraid of discussing the matter putting at risk the investigation.
He stated that “no one has more incentive than me to dish on the terminations or discipline being conducted.” However, there are clear laws that state that officers would lose their ability to hold them accountable if they did so. “I won’t trade what could have been a clean disciplinary decision or termination decision for political points.”
This video footage is in the case Jaleel STallings, 29. He was acquitted of multiple charges after shooting at officers who had fired a 40mm “marking round” at him from his unmarked van. The online digital news outlet Minnesota Reformer first reported details of Stallings’ case and footage from his arrest. Stallings attorney also released footage to other media.
This footage shows police shooting rubber bullets (also known as marking rounds) at protestors and other bystanders, and exchanging fist bumps in an attempt to enforce a curfew throughout the city.
Stallings, who was granted a permit to carry firearms, is seen in the footage crouching behind a pickup truck on a parking lot. Stallings was hit in the chest by a police officer at 10:53 p.m. Stallings claimed that he believed he was being attacked from civilians, and was shot with a bullet. As a warning, he fired three shots at the van before fleeing. Eric Rice, Eric Rice’s attorney, stated that he surrendered after realizing he had shot at police. Officers were not hit.
Close-by surveillance footage shows Stallings lying on the ground immediately. Then, Officer Justin Stetson (and Sgt. Andrew Bittell kicked and punched Stallings. He didn’t resist.
Additional footage taken by Officer Joseph Adams’ bodycam shows him telling Cmdr. Bruce Folkens stated that it was “busy night.” Folkens added, “You guys out hunting people now. It’s just nice to change the tempo. These people are… (Expletive).
