Protests erupt after black man shot by police in Minneapolis

In the second of two incidents in which Minneapolis officers fired their weapons on the North Side hours apart, a man suspected of assault was shot and wounded by an officer early Sunday, allegedly while the suspect was hindering emergency responders from aiding his victim, authorities said.

At about 12:45 a.m., police responded to a report of an assault on the 1600 block of Plymouth Ave.

Officers attempted to calm the suspect, who was not in handcuffs, but a physical altercation ensued, police said.

Police say Clark was interfering as EMTs tried to get his girlfriend into an ambulance, and a struggle then began.

Witnesses say Clark was handcuffed and knocked to the ground before he was shot, the NAACP says.

Two officers are on paid leave, standard practice after such an incident. Investigators are now saying it is too early to tell if the man was handcuffed at the time he was shot.

Drew Evans, BCA superintendent, said the agency wants to talk to anyone who saw the shooting or might have video of it. When asked about the handcuffs, Evans said there were handcuffs at the scene, but added that authorities are working to determine the exact situation when he was shot.

The incident happened just before 7 p.m. Saturday, according police statement. “He shouldn’t have to come and tell me piece by piece what happened”, Dillon said.

Minneapolis police are investigating and speaking with witnesses. Police said the man is being treated at a hospital, but his condition hasn’t been released.

Clark’s relatives, including several sisters, gathered on Sunday afternoon in a room on the intensive-care unit at Hennepin County Medical Center, where a physician told them Clark is brain dead, according to one family member.

The Violent Crime Investigations Team, which will be staffed by six veteran detectives, was unveiled at a City Hall news conference.

“We were literally shoved back into our (apartments)”, Sharp said. The group went to a police precinct, where they banged on the door and demanded to be allowed inside. She said she had called 911 to report a domestic dispute.

“We don’t know the timeline of that investigation, but it will be as expeditious as possible and the investigators will follow the facts wherever they lead”, Hodges said at a news conference. “We need to know the truth”, Harteau said. “Everyone involved needs that and deserves that”, Harteau said.