Hundreds protest fatal police shooting

Hundreds of people took to the streets in protest yesterday over the fatal police shooting of a black man in Minneapolis.

City leaders sought to calm protests over the death of 31-year-old Thurman Blevins Jr. Mayor Jacob Frey attended a vigil near to the shooting scene that drew about 250 people on Sunday evening. Police Chief Medaria Arradondo appeared at a demonstration where about 300 people assembled earlier in the day at a police precinct.

Both Mr Frey and Mr Arradondo vowed the investigation would be fair and transparent. Officers claimed Mr Blevins was firing a handgun into the air and ground on Saturday night when police were called.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating. The agency said Mr Blevins ran from officers while holding a gun, was pursued and shot.

Some witnesses say Mr Blevins did not have a gun. Authorities say the shooting was caught on officers’ body cameras.