The U.S. Department of Justice, FBI and Minneapolis Police Department have vowed to aggressively probe the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after being pinned down under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer Monday. One Georgia sheriff has weighed in, saying police brutality “needs to stop.”
Floyd, 46, was arrested in Minneapolis on Monday after a grocery store clerk suspected him of rendering a counterfeit $20 bill. The details of his arrest are murky, but there is video showing Floyd being dragged from his car in handcuffs. The most explosive amateur footage shows Floyd facedown on the street, pinned by Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin for several minutes. The Houston native was later pronounced dead.
Several riots have emerged in Minnesota and elsewhere in the aftermath of the officer-involved death. On Wednesday, one man was shot to death in the midst of the ongoing protests over Floyd’s death. Violence and looting of Minneapolis stores persisted Thursday as many grieved the death of Floyd, which followed two other recent unresolved killings of unarmed black people, Breonna Taylor and Georgia’s Ahmaud Arbery.
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In light of Floyd's death, Polk County Sheriff Frank Lott shared his thoughts on the sheriff's office's Facebook page Wednesday. After seeing the video of Floyd being "murdered," Lott said he was "deeply" disturbed.
“I can assure everyone, me or any of my deputies will never treat anyone like that as long as I’m Sheriff,” he wrote in the Facebook post. “This kind of brutality is terrible and it needs to stop. All Officers involved need to be arrested and charged immediately. Praying for the family.”
Lott’s candid reaction got lots of response from residents and others who shared his sentiments Thursday. The post on the Cedartown Sheriff’s Office page has been shared more than 220 times and received hundreds of comments.
Kevin Davis commented: “We need more officers who aren’t afraid to call out other officers when things like this happen. I applaud you for this.”
Judy Mcdowell thanked Lott for his comment, adding “Really respect the officer's that do have some compassion And conduct their arrest in a civil manner
Thank you and stay safe”
Meeks Anah responded as well: "This broke my heart and still so sad for this family. This behavior has got to stop. ALL 4 of the officers need to have charges and not paid leave. So much respect for the men and women in blue. I feel they take an oath just like Drs do. Do no harm! Just like some don't deserve to be a Dr some do not deserve the badge."
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who had apologized for the actions of Chauvin on Wednesday, tweeted for calm early Thursday. “Please, Minneapolis, we cannot let tragedy beget more tragedy,” he said on Twitter. He also asked for the public’s help in keeping the peace.
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