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U.S. police officer charged with third degree murder of George Floyd

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The Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety said, Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer involved in George Floyd's death, has been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.

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Protestors yell outside the home owned by Derek Chauvin, the Minneapolis police officer videotaped kneeling on the neck of George Floyd before his death. (Photo by Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS/Sipa USA)

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said Mr. Chauvin has been charged with third degree murder and manslaughter.

The three other police officers who were involved in the arrest of George Floyd remain under investigation and Mr. Freeman said he expects to file charges against them too.

The announcement comes days after the release of a video depicting Officer Chauvin pressing his knee firmly on Mr. Floyd's neck while he repeatedly moaned and gasped while pleading with the former officer.

After a number of minutes, Mr. Floyd gradually grew quiet and stopped moving.

The video has caused widespread outrage and unrest in Minneapolis, after Floyd died in police custody, leading to Chauvin being fired as well as three other officers seen in the video.

Those investigations, coupled with the officers' firing, has not satisfied the protesters who gathered for a third night in Minneapolis.

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Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA: A fire burns in the distance while riots and looting break out across the city of Minneapolis. (Credit Image: © Chris Juhn/ZUMA Wire)

They stormed the 3rd Police Precinct, the closest precinct to the site of Floyd's arrest, setting fire to the building.

Rioters burned and looted other buildings in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.