A video showing an assault on a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota has led to an arrest and multiple charges. Brayshaun Lamar Gibson, 28, has been identified as the suspect.
The footage, which was recorded in late August amid riots, showed that someone off-screen threw a trash can lid and hit a police officer in the head as he was reaching for the driver’s side door of an official vehicle. The officer fell and appeared to be momentarily unconscious before seemingly calling for backup. Seconds later, his helmet came off and another officer ran to the area.
Hennepin County Jail
Bystanders cheered after the trash can hit the officer in the back of his head. The riots resulted in dozens of arrests, some for burglary and others for assault. Looting and vandalism began after a murder suspect died. Police released video of the suspect, who appeared to shoot himself in the head as officers found him.
Cops said they released the footage to “dispel rumors” that officers were the ones who killed the man.
While this chaos was unfolding, Gibson allegedly threw the trash can lid. The lid, apparently 15 pounds, sent the officer to the hospital to be treated for “possible spinal damage.” According to the criminal complaint, Gibson believed rumors that cops shot the aforementioned murder suspect.
Now he faces charges of second-degree assault, third-degree assault and second-degree riot in Hennepin County. But that’s not all. Gibson is accused of breaking into a department store and stealing items after the alleged assault. He also faces a third-degree burglary charge.
The first wave of violence and destruction in Minneapolis followed the police killing of George Floyd.
Derek Chauvin, the officer who was recorded kneeling on Floyd’s neck for more than 7 minutes and 45 seconds, was charged with second-degree murder. Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng, and Thomas Kiernan Lane were each charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
The 3rd Precinct Minneapolis police station was set on fire three days after Floyd’s death.
[Screengrab via Fox 9]