Black Lives Matter protesters that were set to march over an officer-involved shooting in Minnesota canceled the rally after learning the suspect was an armed white male.
The initial shooting happened Sunday afternoon on Highway 13 in Burnsville, according to KARE11, in which police were in a pursuit with the male suspect who was allegedly involved in two carjackings.
The suspect inside the vehicle shot at officers while on the highway, before crashing into a ditch, KARE11 reported. The suspect then continued to shoot at officers, which led to a shootout that resulted in the suspect being killed.
Shortly after news of the shooting broke, Black Lives Matter protesters outside of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s mansion knelt for a moment of silence and were planning to march to Burnsville in protest of the shooting, Fox News reported. (RELATED: Protests And Riots Erupt In Minneapolis After Officer Allegedly Shoots And Kills Man)
Protestors kneel after hearing there was an officer-involved shooting in Burnsville moments ago. This information HAS NOT been confirmed but this group says they’re heading there. pic.twitter.com/MHdQQmytnY
— Mitti Hicks (@MittiMegan) April 18, 2021
The Burnsville police issued a statement shortly after the shooting, describing the encounter with the suspect, describing him as a white male.
“The suspect, believed to be a white male in his 20s, was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center where he was pronounced dead,” the statement read.
Burnsville PD confirms the suspect in today’s officer involved shooting suffered fatal injuries.
The suspect allegedly fired several shots at officers, none were reported to be injured. Suspect was believed to have carjacked a female at gunpoint prior.
More info to come.
— CrimeWatchMpls (@CrimeWatchMpls) April 19, 2021
After news broke that the suspect was confirmed to be a white male, the protesters reportedly marched back to Brooklyn Center since the group “needed more information” about what happened first, Fox News reported.