Law enforcement: Over 20 arrests made during protests Wednesday in Brooklyn Center

KSTP

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12:41 a.m.

Law enforcement officials with Operation Safety Net report about 20 arrests were made Wednesday night in the Twin Cities as protests broke out over the shooting death of 20-year-old Daunte Wright.

According to Col. Matt Langer with the Minnesota State Patrol, a total of 24 people were arrested.

Langer said the charges could vary from curfew violations to probable cause riot.

A demonstrator is shot with less-than-lethal marking rounds and tear gas during a standoff with police during a protest decrying the shooting death of Daunte Wright, outside the Brooklyn Center Police Department, Wednesday, April 14, 2021, in Brooklyn Center, Minn.[John Minchillo/Associated Press]

Minnesota Department of Safety Commissioner John Harrington said no cases of looting were reported in Brooklyn Center or the surrounding area.

According to Harrington and Langer, at points during protest, demonstrators were throwing items at law enforcement officers at the scene.

A KSTP reporter at the scene reported that flash-bang grenades and irritants were deployed by police to disperse protesters.

Langer was pushed about the use of tear gas on previous nights and how close it was used to occupied apartment buildings.

“We take the use of these munitions seriously and our perspective, our policy and our culture in the mindset of those that are using these munitions is that it must be judicious, with purpose and as much safety as possible," Langer said.

KSTP crews who have been at the scene on previous nights have reported law enforcement use of tear gas.

KSTP reporter Crystal Bui also spoke with a resident of a nearby apartment Wednesday who said tear gas seeped into her apartment.

Watch the full Operation Safety Net news conference in the video player below:

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10:40 p.m.

Law enforcement have started to make arrests in Brooklyn Center. A KSTP reporter saw people being detained at the Pump ‘n Munch gas station about a block north of the Brooklyn Center Police Station.

Police have started to move in on the crowd outside the police department as well.

9:35 p.m.

Minnesota National Guard and Minnesota State Patrol vehicles are pouring into the area near the Brooklyn Center Police Department, and troops have formed a line at 65th Avenue North and North Humboldt Avenue, just across from the ramp on and off Highway 100.

Curfew goes into effect at 10 p.m. in Brooklyn Center.

9:05 p.m.

Dispersal orders have been issued to protesters at the Brooklyn Center Police Department.

A KSTP reporter at the scene, who has been reporting from the police department since Sunday, says it is the largest showing of force from law enforcement that he has seen.

The reporter said police have been deploying flash-bangs to disperse protesters.

8:35 p.m.

A KSTP reporter at the scene says police continue to deploy irritants at protesters as items are thrown over the fence surrounding the police department.

7:46 p.m.

According to a KSTP reporter at the scene, police fired "possible irritant," at protesters after a water bottle was thrown.

According to Operation Safety Net, people were also trying to climb and dismantle the fence around the police department and shine lasers at law enforcement.

This is a developing story. Continue to follow 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS and kstp.com as we update this story.