In the middle of a gathering at George Floyd Square on May 25, 2021 commemorating the one year anniversary of the death of Black man, George Floyd, while undergoing arrest by former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, 30 shots were fired, sending one victim to the hospital.
The gunfire erupted on live television, as seen on the ABC News live stream. A voice can be heard yelling at people to get down.
Gunfire during the @ABC crew's liveshot from George Floyd Square. Hope you are safe @Alex_Presha. This is unbelievably heartbreaking. pic.twitter.com/1QfsNqIv4A
— Nikki Muehlhausen (@n_muehlhausen) May 25, 2021
Minneapolis police spokesperson John Elder told The New York Daily News on Tuesday afternoon that “The incident is under investigation. There’s no one in custody at this time.”
Just prior to the shooting taking place, a video journalist with the Star Tribune had his drone taken from him by “three dudes working ‘security’” and was “threatened and told never to return to the George Floyd Square.”
Had my drone taken by three dudes working “security” about a block from 38th and Chicago this morning. Was threatened and told never to come back to George Floyd Square.
— Mark Vancleave (@MDVancleave) May 25, 2021
The George Floyd Autonomous Zone, or George Floyd Square, located in Minneapolis at the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, has been occupied by protestors since late May, as reported by Fox News. The protestors have refused to leave until their demands are met.
Police have been made unwelcome in the zone and have been unable to respond to calls within the Goerge Floyd Autonomous Zone. As was reported on The Minnesota Sun, “The Minneapolis Police Department apparently will not enter the so-called ‘Free State of George Floyd’ to respond to crimes.”
Reporters have also been harassed and told to leave the autonomous zone. No official moves have been made by local government to disperse those who are occupying the zone.
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Hayley Tschetter is a reporter with The Minnesota Sun | Star News Network and The College Fix. She graduated with a degree in Communications from the University of Northwestern-St. Paul. Send news tips to [email protected].
