Burning, rioting, and looting broke out in Minneapolis on Friday night after deputies shot and killed a wanted felon who fired on them. Deputies assigned to the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force attempted to take the man wanted for being a felon in possession of a firearm into custody.
Police officials in Minnesota say the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force attempted to arrest 32-year-old Winston Boogie Smith on June 3 for a warrant for being a felon in possession of a firearm, the Associated Press reported. As sheriff’s office deputies assigned to the task force approached Smith’s vehicle, he reportedly refused to comply with orders and pulled a handgun. Officials confirmed Smith fired at least one shot from inside his car.
Liquor store currently being looted with people trying to take an ATM too.#BrooklynCenter pic.twitter.com/9kYP5h8jRg
— Rebecca Brannon (@RebsBrannon) April 12, 2021
A statement from the Marshal’s Service said Smith was in a parked vehicle and “produced a handgun resulting in task force members firing upon the subject.” Smith died at the scene from wounds from two deputies’ shots.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension reported that state investigators found a gun in Smith’s car along with a spent cartridge indicating Smith fired from inside his vehicle, the AP article states.
Following the shooting on Thursday, rioters marched in the streets, set fires, and began vandalizing and looting businesses, the AP reported. Police arrested nine people on charges following the night of violent activity.
Independent journalist Brendan Gutenschwager tweeted a video showing multiple fires set by rioters on Friday night.
Thick smoke in the air as dumpsters burned at Hennepin & Lake Street in Minneapolis this Friday night pic.twitter.com/Z9LdrV6mLZ
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) June 5, 2021
In addition, rioters also set trees on fire, photojournalist Rebecca Brannon tweeted.
Trees being set on fire tonight in Minneapolis along with other fires. https://t.co/L09YrZMolp
— Rebecca Brannon (@RebsBrannon) June 5, 2021
Rioters protesting the shooting of the wanted felon who allegedly fired at agents attempting to arrest him began looting a TMobile store, Brannon tweeted.
The BLM protest in Minneapolis devolved into looting overnight. A large group smashed their way into the @TMobile store. Exceptional video by @RebsBrannon: pic.twitter.com/BCNCcrYCmO
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) June 4, 2021
Another video re-tweeted by Brannon shows someone performing CPR on a person who was allegedly shot during the riots.
Someone was shot tonight on East Lake Street over by the old 3rd precinct…#Minneapolishttps://t.co/M45sAC9Cjd
— Rebecca Brannon (@RebsBrannon) June 5, 2021
It is not clear from the tweets who shot the person or what if they survived.
Another person was seen being treated on the street for an unknown injury.
More fireshttps://t.co/fDveXaOa9X
— AntifaWatch (@AntifaWatch2) June 5, 2021
Story cited here.