MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- Hundreds of people protesting the police shooting of Jamar Clark blocked a Minneapolis highway, leading to the arrests of 51 demonstrators.
The protest began Monday evening, hours after Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges and Police Chief Janee Harteau requested a federal civil rights investigation in the weekend shooting of Clark.
Police said Clark, in his mid-20s, was a suspect in a domestic assault case and was shot as he allegedly interfered with paramedics and fought with police. Some eyewitnesses said Clark was handcuffed at the moment of his shooting by a Minneapolis police officer, though police reports have differed on that detail.
Late Monday a spokesman of the Black Lives Matter group said Clark was removed from life support at a hospital.
Demonstrators closed the northbound lanes of the I-94 Highway at Broadway Avenue for several hours. Some vehicles were damaged during the protest, and 43 adults and eight juveniles were arrested on unlawful assembly and pedestrian on freeway charges, each a misdemeanor.
The protesters called for police to release any video of Clark's shooting and the names of all officers involved.
he Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension launched an investigation into Clark's death, which is expected to last two to four months.
"We've got confidence in the BCA. Our officers are cooperating with the process. We want people to remain calm. Let the investigation be completed," said Lt. Bob Kroll of the Minneapolis Police Union.
