Police: Fight breaks out as city, officers attempt to clear encampment in north Minneapolis

A fight broke out early Thursday morning as police and the city attempted to clear unhoused residents from an encampment in north Minneapolis.

According to a release from the city, five people were arrested in connection to the incident. Five officers also had to be checked out by paramedics for injuries sustained during the incident. All of the officers were cleared to go back to duty.

The release also says the Minneapolis Police Department’s Internal Affairs Unit "is reviewing the use of force as is customary in use of force incidents." However, police did not make it clear in the release what use of force officers used at the scene of the incident.

According to the release, five officers were asked to assist the Minneapolis City Health Department and Community Planning and Economic Development Department in the clearing of an encampment near Second Avenue and Girard Avenue North.

While a block away from the encampment area, officers saw three men push dumpsters into the roadway. The city claims the individuals approached the officers and began to taunt them, which caught the attention of nearby neighbors to come outside and "engage in the same behavior."

Police allege that people in the area began throwing snowballs at officers and at squad cars at the scene. Feeling outnumbered, the police called for additional squad cars.

The news release said when additional officers arrived, 25 to 30 people were "actively challenging officers."

The news release alleges that a person physically attacked officers. Police say officers tried to arrest the person, while "additional suspects surrounded officers as they attempted to arrest the suspect who attacked the officer."

Police also claim a woman "jumped on the back of an officer and began to choke him," and that one officer was tackled from behind while another was punched in the face.

After more officers arrived, they were able to bring the five arrestees into custody