Justice 4 Jamar Fox 9 Twitter
Medical examiners have ruled the death of Jamar Clark to be a homicide. The 24-year-old black man was shot while unarmed by a Minneapolis Police officer Sunday night, and died of his injuries Monday evening. The Los Angeles Times reports that the FBI will investigate the shooting, which some allege took place while Clark was handcuffed and in police custody.
"Investigators will present the case to the Hennepin County attorney's office to determine whether charges should be filed," the Times wrote. Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges has called for an independent investigation of the incident. In a letter, Hodges stressed that "Minneapolis Police Chief Janee Harteau and I believe it assists the interests of transparency and community confidence in the outcome of this investigation to have your review and consideration of this case."
Clark's shooting sparked fervent protests against police brutality and racial injustice in Minneapolis--demonstrations that included rallies at a Minneapolis PD precinct and the stopping of all traffic on one of the city's major interstate roads. Local NBC affiliate KARE 11 reports that "Police were initially called to the scene for a domestic assault where Clark was considered the suspect. Police say Clark was interfering with medical personnel who were tending to the victim in that assault, which prompted a call to authorities." Local NAACP leaders and Black Lives Matter organizers have rallied against the officers' actions and demanded that charges be filed in the wake of Clark's killing. A #Justice4Jamar campaign is in full swing across social media.
