Four Minnesota police officers involved in the aggressive arrest and subsequent death of George Floyd. Police Chief Medaria Arradondo announced the firings at a press conference Tuesday after video of the brutal arrest was circulated widely around social media. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the firings were “the right call.”
In the video, taken by a bystander, Floyd could be seen, handcuffed, facedown on the ground at the foot of a police SUV. A police officer, believed to be 19-year-veteran Derek Chauvin, has his knee pressed to Mr. Floyd’s neck with the full weight of his body behind it. Floyd can be seen pleading with the officer, telling him he cannot breathe and that his head, his neck, and his body hurt. Floyd seems to become completely unresponsive a couple of minutes into the video, and likely never regained consciousness.
One of the most infuriating aspects of the video is that numerous bystanders yell at the officer to stop what is clearly an unwarranted tactic, especially as Floyd appears to lose consciousness. New images have appeared online purporting to show the other side of what was visible in the video, showing the suspected four officers who were fired at work on Floyd.
The firings come after news and video of the arrest made its way throughout the country, with elected officials like Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar weighing in on behalf of justice. No charges have been announced or further punishment detailed for the officers involved.