Trump orders investigation into George Floyd’s killing
The POTUS, who ordered the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the US Department of Justice to expedite the probe, vowed that justice would be served on the matter.
“At my request, the FBI and the Department of Justice are already well into an investigation as to the very sad and tragic death in Minnesota of George Floyd.
“I have asked for this investigation to be expedited and greatly appreciate all of the work done by local law enforcement. My heart goes out to George’s family and friends. Justice will be served!” Trump tweeted.
One of the officers was seen in a video kneeling on his neck while he was handcuffed.
“Your knee in my neck. I can’t breathe… Mama. Mama,” Floyd pleaded, slowly grew silent and motionless, unable to move even as the officers taunted him to “get up and get in the car”.
He was taken to the hospital where he was later declared dead.
After dismissing the four officers involved, Minneapolis Mayor, Jacob Frey, expressed outrage as calls rose for them to be prosecuted for murder.
“What I saw was wrong at every level,” he said of the video.
“For five minutes, we watched as a white officer pressed his knee into the neck of a black man. Being black in America should not be a death sentence,” Frey added.
The family of the late Floyd has called for the prosecution of the four officers, stressing that they should be charged with murder.
The death of the black man sparked street protests in the Midwestern US city.
Protesters, many wearing face masks because of the coronavirus outbreak, held signs saying “Justice for George Floyd” and “Black Lives Matter” during a rally near the scene of Monday’s death in custody.