A murder suspect killed himself as police surrounded him in Minneapolis on Wednesday—sparking another wave of rioting and looting as misinformation spread that police had killed him.
The man, who allegedly killed another man in a parking garage just hours before, fatally shot himself as police surrounded him. But rumors led many to believe that police killed him, leading rioters to swarm downtown Minneapolis, where they looted and vandalized local businesses.
Police quickly released video evidence, which showed that they did not open fire on the man, in an attempt to quell the violence. Mayor Jacob Frey (D.) then imposed a curfew and called in the National Guard. Minneapolis police have not yet released the name of the man.
Frey condemned the violence in a press conference Wednesday night.
"What our city needs right now is healing," Frey said. "We do not need more destruction. We do not need property damage that is unacceptable in every way, shape, and form, and I want to be very clear: It will not be tolerated."
Protests began in May following the death of George Floyd, who was killed by police in Minneapolis. In some cities, demonstrations have continued nightly throughout the summer—which in many cities, including Portland, Seattle, and Chicago, have turned violent.