Two sheriff’s deputies fatally shot a man Thursday afternoon during an arrest attempt in Minneapolis, prompting protests and public outcry to release footage of the shooting.
While authorities did not immediately release the man’s name, family and friends identified him as Winston Boogie Smith Jr., a 32-year-old father of three.
The U.S. Marshals Service said in a statement sent to USA TODAY that its task force was trying to arrest the man on a state warrant for illegal possession of a firearm. The man, who was parked in a car, “failed to comply with officers’ commands” and “produced a handgun resulting in task force members firing upon the subject,” according to the statement.
Two sheriff’s deputies — one from Hennepin County and one from Ramsey County — were involved in the shooting, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which is leading the investigation. State investigators said a handgun and spent cartridge found inside the car indicate that the man also fired his gun.
No video footage of the incident has been released.
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said there is no squad camera footage of the shooting, and the U.S. Marshals Service does not allow body cameras for officers on this task force.
Task force members attempted life-saving measures, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene, the statement said. A female occupant of the car was treated for minor injuries due to glass debris.
As word of the shooting spread, a crowd of protesters formed Thursday afternoon. While some shouted expletives at police, the crowd largely remained peaceful.
People later vandalized “numerous” buildings and looted others, Minneapolis police spokesman John Elder said Friday. A dumpster was also set on fire.
Nine people were arrested on charges that ranged from arson, assault and damage to property, police said.
Shelly Hopkins, who was in a longtime relationship with Smith, told The Associated Press that despite any mistakes Smith has made, he didn’t deserve to be killed.
“I don’t know exactly what happened. But I know him. And he didn’t deserve that… He had the best heart out of anybody I’ve ever met in my life.”
Waylon Hughes, a close friend of Smith, told reporters that Smith loved music, writing comedy skits and posting them on social media. Hughes said he didn’t know Smith to carry a gun, and Hopkins also said she didn’t know that he had one.
Family and friends demanded transparency and called for the release of all footage from security and surveillance cameras in the area along with information about the officers involved. At an evening news conference outside the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, family members and activists said they don’t believe there is no video.
Minneapolis has been on edge since last year’s death of George Floyd, a Black man who was pinned to ground by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was convicted in April of murder and manslaughter. Protests also followed the fatal police shooting of Black motorist Daunte Wright in the nearby suburb of Brooklyn Center in April.
Before the Thursday shooting, tensions were rising as crews removed concrete barriers around a Minneapolis intersection informally called George Floyd Square, where community members and activists left artwork and flowers in a memorial to Floyd.
Contributing: The Associated Press
Contact News NOW Reporter Christine Fernando at cfernando@usatoday.com or follow her on Twitter at @christinetfern.
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