A tragic incident occurred on Sunday afternoon in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, where a police officer fatally shot a Black man during a traffic stop. This event unfolded just 15 minutes away from the ongoing trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis officer facing charges for the murder of George Floyd.
The traffic stop began around 2 p.m. when officers pulled over 20-year-old and father, Malik Johnson, for having an air freshener hanging from his rearview mirror. Brooklyn Center Police Chief Sam Rivera stated that during the encounter, officers discovered an outstanding warrant for the driver. “As officers tried to apprehend him, he got back into the car,” Rivera explained. “One officer then discharged their firearm, hitting the driver.” Malik’s vehicle continued for several blocks before colliding with another car; his girlfriend was present as a passenger.
Family members reported that Malik was stopped for the air freshener issue, a claim echoed by journalist Nina Moini on Twitter. Efforts to revive Malik by officers and medical personnel were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. During a press briefing, Chief Rivera indicated that the officer who shot Malik mistakenly drew her firearm instead of her Taser, as shown in body camera footage where she called out “Taser! Taser! Taser!” believing she was using her stun gun.
Malik’s mother, Lisa Johnson, recounted her last conversation with her son, stating, “I heard scuffling and police officers saying, ‘Malik, don’t run.’ Then, one of the officers said, ‘Put the phone down,’ and hung up.” A minute later, she received a call from Malik’s girlfriend, revealing he had been shot and was lying lifeless in the driver’s seat.
In response to the community’s grief, Brooklyn Center Mayor Tom Elliott expressed condolences on Twitter, urging peaceful gatherings for transparency and accountability. Malik’s family described him as a devoted father with a bright future ahead, stating, “He loved being a father.”
Following the shooting, Mayor Elliott imposed a curfew until 6 a.m. the next day, and local schools transitioned to remote learning as a precaution against potential protests, which began to emerge that evening. The Minnesota chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union called for an immediate and independent investigation into the incident and urged the release of any body camera footage. They expressed concern over the use of minor infractions, like an air freshener, as a pretext for police stops targeting Black individuals.
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Summary
Protests erupted in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, after a police officer shot and killed Malik Johnson, a 20-year-old Black man, during a traffic stop for an air freshener violation. The police chief reported that the officer mistakenly discharged her firearm instead of her Taser. Malik’s mother described her last moments with him, while local authorities urged peaceful protests and accountability. The incident has spurred calls for an independent investigation and has highlighted systemic issues of racial profiling in policing.