Jamar Clark, 24

Minneapolis, Minnesota
November 16, 2015

Agencies: Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension BCA | Minneapolis Police Department Minnesota

Cause of death: Shooting


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Overview

Community leaders say 24 year old Jamar Clark was handcuffed when he was killed by police. Minneapolis police said they shot and killed Clark when he was keeping paramedics from treating an assault victim. Police say they tried to calm him when they arrived, police said. Police said a "physical altercation" happened between paramedics and the man. An officer then fired his weapon and hit Clark.

A witness said it started when the man got into an argument with his girlfriend, that Clark did not resist and was in handcuffs when police shot him. The witness said that after police shot the man, they took him out of handcuffs. One witness said police shoved witnesses back into their apartments. "We were literally forced back into our apartment units so we would not be able to talk about the incident that happened. It's not fair." she said. Another witness, Joseph Gipson, said "police killed him with his hands behind his back."

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal is investigating the shooting.

Legal Action

The Justice Department has announced that it will begin an investigation into the death of Jamar Clark. Locally, On March 16, 2016, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said his office — not a grand jury — would make the final call on whether to press charges against Minneapolis police officers in the Nov. 15 shooting of Jamar Clark.

March 2016 No charges will be filed against police officers.

On April 19, 2016, the Minneapolis chapter of the NAACP called for Minnesota’s attorney general to reopen the investigation into the November 2015 shooting death of 24-year-old Jamar Clark.

In June 2016, federal prosecutors said they would not pursue civil rights charges against two white police officers who fatally shot black suspect Jamar Clark.

October 2016 Two Minneapolis police officers followed proper procedure in a confrontation that led to the fatal shooting of a black man in November, and won’t face discipline, the city’s police chief announced Friday.

March 2017 In November of 2015, gun enthusiast and racist 4channer Allen ‘Lance’ Scarsella physically trolled Jamar Clark protests with a firearm two times in four days. During his second visit he brought three friends with him, they got into an altercation and Allen shot five unarmed protesters. Allen was arrested by police the next day–he has been in protective custody in jail ever since–and pled self-defense during his trial.

This is the third part of Unicorn Riot’s comprehensive report-backs from the Scarsella Trial, covering testimony and exhibits, including <a href="https://naijaretro.com"> Videos</a> from January 19th, 2017.

Community and Family Efforts

The ACLU and NAACP filed a lawsuit on February 9, 2016 asking state officials in Minnesota to release video footage showing Minneapolis police officers fatally shooting Jamar Clark. On Monday February 29, 2016, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension denied violating the public's right to access of video footage, according to its response to the NAACP lawsuit, despite allowing Governor Mark Dayton to view that evidence.

March 2016 RayAnn Hayes statement

June 2016 Federal investigation is complete

September 2016 MN fair protest

January 2017 Racist who shot protestors who were demonstrating against the murder of Jama  Clark trial details

April2017 CommunityForum

In 2020, the Say Their Name Podcast by DCP Entertainment released an episode chronicling Clark's death and the aftermath.

 

 

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