Minneapolis officer charged following death of black man in custody

The arrest comes after three days of protests.

The Minneapolis officer who was seen on video kneeling on the neck of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man who died in custody after pleading that he could not breathe, has been arrested and charged with murder.

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said Derek Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.

Mr Freeman did not provide immediate details, but said a criminal complaint would be made available later and that more charges were possible.

A demonstrator displays a T-shirt with a picture of George Floyd (Ringo HW Chiu/AP)

He said his office needed time to put together evidence, including what he called the “horrible” video by a bystander. He said he would not bring a case unless he had enough evidence to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

News of the arrest and charges came moments after Minnesota Gov Tim Walz acknowledged the “abject failure” of the response to this week’s protests and called for swift justice for officers involved.

Mr Walz said the state would take over the response to the protests and that it is time to show respect and dignity to those who are suffering.

“Minneapolis and St. Paul are on fire. The fire is still smouldering in our streets. The ashes are symbolic of decades and generations of pain, of anguish unheard,” Mr Walz said, adding. “Now generations of pain is manifesting itself in front of the world — and the world is watching.”