US Attorney, FBI special agent in charge call investigation into death of George Floyd ‘top priority’
[Photo: U.S. Attorney's Office]
In a joint statement, the U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald and FBI Special Agent in Charge Rainer Drolshagen said the Department of Justice has made the investigation into the death of George Floyd a top priority.
Floyd was pronounced dead Monday night after he was taken into custody by police in south Minneapolis. A video that was circulated online shows an officer holding his knee on the back of Floyd’s neck for several minutes.
The statement said the federal investigation will determine whether the former Minneapolis police officers involved in the arrest violated federal law.
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The four former police officers involved in the arrest of George Floyd were identified by the city of Minneapolis as Derek Chauvin, Thomas Lane, Tou Thao and J Alexander Kueng. A source with knowledge of the investigation identified the officer with his knee on the back of Floyd’s neck as Derek Chauvin.
The two law enforcement figures said criminal charges will be field if it is determined that federal laws were violated.
Wednesday, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called on the Hennepin County Attorney to press charges against Chauvin.
At this time, the Department of Justice is asking for witnesses who may have information that call the FBI at 1-800-225-5324.