Biden calls for ‘thorough’ federal investigation into killing of black man by Minneapolis police

by Zack Budryk - 05/26/20 10:13 PM ET

getty: A memorial left for George Floyd who died in custody on May 26, 2020 is viewed in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Former Vice President Joe Biden called for a “thorough” FBI investigation into the killing of George Floyd, a black man who died shortly after his arrest by the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD).

The local police chief announced earlier Tuesday that the FBI would lead the investigation into Floyd’s death. Four police officers were also fired after video of the incident emerged.

“George Floyd deserved better and his family deserves justice. His life mattered,” Biden tweeted Tuesday evening.

“I’m grateful for the swift action in Minneapolis to fire the officers involved — they must be held responsible for their egregious actions. The FBI should conduct a thorough investigation.”

George Floyd deserved better and his family deserves justice. His life mattered.

I’m grateful for the swift action in Minneapolis to fire the officers involved — they must be held responsible for their egregious actions. The FBI should conduct a thorough investigation. https://t.co/n1tdiUba0x

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) May 26, 2020

An MPD officer was seen on video kneeling on Floyd’s neck and pinning him to the pavement while Floyd said “I cannot breathe.” The MPD said Floyd died in a “medical incident” after being detained by the four unnamed officers who were later fired.

The department said earlier Tuesday the FBI will participate into a departmental probe into the incident, with Police Chief Medaria Arradondo saying he received “additional information” that prompted him to call for federal assistance.

“Being black in America should not be a death sentence,” Mayor Jacob Frey (D) said during a news conference Tuesday. “For five minutes, we watched as a white officer pressed his knee to the neck of a black man. For five minutes. When you hear someone calling for help, you are supposed to help. This officer failed in the most basic human sense.”

Biden’s tweet came as protests over the killing in Minneapolis swelled, with police reportedly firing tear gas and hitting a Minneapolis Star Tribune reporter with a rubber bullet.