Four Minneapolis police officers have been fired from the force after being involved in the recorded death of George Floyd. Floyd, a Black man, can be seen in a video stating he could not breathe as he was held down on the pavement by a knee to the back of a neck.
According to CNN, the FBI is investigating the incident after the video went viral on social media. Ahead of the investigation, Mayor Jacob Frey revealed the restraint by the officer was against department regulations.
The knee to the back of the neck eventually led to Floyd being motionless and his eyes closing while his head was on the ground.
The police responded to a call of a man under the influence and sitting on a car. Police located the man, identified as Floyd, stating he “physically resisted” to get out the car. The attempt to arrest him led to his death at the hospital.
“I support your decisions, one hundred percent,” Frey said of the firings. “It is the right decision for our city. The right decision for our community, it is the right decision for the Minneapolis Police Department.
“The technique that was used is not permitted; is not a technique that our officers get trained in on. And our chief has been very clear on that piece. There is no reason to apply that kind of pressure with a knee to someone’s neck.”
Floyd’s family is being represented by Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump who released a statement.
“We all watched the horrific death of George Floyd on video as witnesses begged the police officer to take him into the police car and get off his neck,” Crump said. “This abusive, excessive and inhumane use of force cost the life of a man who was being detained by the police for questioning about a non-violent charge.”
The investigation by the FBI is being assisted by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
