Officer who knelt on George Floyd’s neck arrested, charged with murder

Police officer, Derek Chauvin,  who was seen in a video kneeling on the neck of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man who died in custody after pleading that he could not breathe, was arrested Friday and charged with murder

The death has sparked protests across the United States and violence in Minneapolis.

Derek Chauvin is seen on a video taken by a bystander kneeling on George Floyd’s neck before he died, has been charged with third-degree murder, Mike Freeman, a Hennepin County attorney, told a news briefing.

“He is in custody and has been charged with murder,” Mr Freeman said of Mr Chauvin. “We have evidence, we have the citizen’s video, the horrible, horrific, terrible thing we’ve seen over and over again” he added.

Mr Freeman said a detailed complaint would be made available shortly.

Often violent protests in Minneapolis were sparked by outrage over the death of Mr Floyd, a black man who was filmed crying out for help as Mr Chauvin, who is white, pinned him to the ground with a knee to his neck.

A bystander’s phone footage showed Mr Floyd repeatedly moaning and gasping while he pleaded to the officer kneeling on his neck, “Please, I can’t breathe.” After several minutes, Mr Floyd gradually grew quiet and ceased to move.

Mr Chauvin and three fellow officers at the scene were fired from the Minneapolis Police Department just hours after the incident. The city identified the other officers as Thomas Lane, Tou Thao and J Alexander Kueng.

Mr Freeman said the investigation into Mr Chauvin — who, if convicted, faces up to 25 years in prison — was ongoing and that he anticipated charges against the other officers. He said it was appropriate to charge “the most dangerous perpetrator” first.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has apologised for the death of Mr Floyd and called for an end to the violent protests that have rocked Minneapolis.

“None of us can live in a society where roving bands go unchecked and do what they want to, ruin property,” Mr Walz said.

“We have to get back to that point of what caused this all to happen and start working on that.”

Mr Walz also said he expected “swift” justice for the officers involved and promised a reckoning with the racial inequities behind the unrest triggered by Mr Floyd’s death.