George Floyd, a black man, died last Monday following a police operation outside a store in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The 46-year-old, like many Americans, had been unemployed since the beginning of the pandemic. Father and grandfather, he worked until recently as a bouncer. But what happened in the last moments of his life? The last 30 minutes before his death provide a better understanding of how the situation escalated. Here's what we know: On Monday night, shortly before 8 p.m., George Floyd went out to pick up cigarettes from the local grocery store, where he was known. At the time of paying, the employee has doubts about the 20-$US note that Mr. Floyd is handing to him. According to protocol, he calls 911 and explains the situation. It's 8:01 p.m. "Someone came to the store and paid with a fake ticket, and it was realized before he left," the transcript of the call reads. The employee indicated that Mr. Floyd appeared to be intoxicated and refused to return the cigarette packet. The person at the end of the phone promises that the police will be on the scene in a few minutes. At 8:08 p.m., two officers arrived and found George Floyd sitting on the driver's side in a parked car not far from the store. Their body cameras are activated. Thomas Lane, one of the two police officers, starts talking with the man, points his gun at him through the open window and asks him to show his hands. Mr. Floyd obeyed him, and the officer put his gun back in his holster. He orders her out of the vehicle. Mr. Lane tries to handcuff him, but Mr. Floyd resists.
Once handcuffed, the suspect becomes more cooperative, notes the report of the incident released by the Hennepin County prosecutor. Constable Lane explains that he is under arrest for forgery. When officers try to get him on the patrol car, the situation becomes more complicated. George Floyd stiffens up and claims he is claustrophobic. Derek Chauvin, also of the Minneapolis Police Department, arrives at the scene to assist. At 8:19 p.m., Floyd tried to get Floyd into the police car by pulling him, causing him to fall to the ground, face first, handcuffed. It was from this moment that passers-by began filming the scene of George Floyd's last moments, which will be widely circulated on social media. While the agents hold George Floyd, Derek Chauvin places his knee on his neck. For 8 minutes and 46 seconds, he will remain in this position. "I can't breathe" and "mama," Mr. Floyd can be heard saying repeatedly. "But you have no trouble talking to us," one officer replies. George Floyd implores the police: "please, please, please." It was 20 hours, 25 minutes and 31 seconds when George Floyd appeared to stop breathing, according to the video. Agent J. A. Kueng is looking for his pulse, to no avail. However, none of his colleagues changed their position. Finally, at 8:27 p.m., Derek Chauvin removed his knee from George Floyd's neck. An ambulance arrives shortly after. Mr Floyd's body was placed on a stretcher and transported to a medical centre. George Floyd pronounced him dead about an hour later. "Someone came to the store and paid with a fake ticket, and it was realized before he left," the transcript of the call reads. The employee indicated that Mr. Floyd appeared to be intoxicated and refused to return the cigarette packet. The person at the end of the phone promises that the police will be on the scene in a few minutes. At 8:08 p.m., two officers arrived and found George Floyd sitting on the driver's side in a parked car not far from the store. Their body cameras are activated. Thomas Lane, one of the two police officers, starts talking with the man, points his gun at him through the open window and asks him to show his hands. Mr. Floyd obeyed him, and the officer put his gun back in his holster. He orders her out of the vehicle. Mr. Lane tries to handcuff him, but Mr. Floyd resists.
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