As we reported earlier here and here, Minneapolis erupted in riots again last night after a fatal police shooting involving 20-year-old Daunte Wright in the nearby town of Brooklyn Center.
They had stopped Wright for an alleged traffic violation and found out he had an outstanding warrant, according to the police. That’s when Wright tried to get back into his vehicle and one officer fired at him, hitting him. He drove several blocks before crashing. They gave him CPR but he died at the scene.
The riot was like a throwback to the end of May last year, after George Floyd’s death. Rioters looted and/or destroyed stores in Brooklyn Center including a Foot Locker, T Mobile, and a New York men’s clothing store, as well as stores all over Minneapolis. They destroyed multiple police vehicles and even shot up a police station.
In addition to unrest in Brooklyn Center tonight following a deadly police shooting, authorities in neighboring Brooklyn Park confirm BPPD police headquarters was "shot up" about an hour ago. No word on any injuries there. @FOX9 https://t.co/ijhqQSlbRe
— Paul Blume (@PaulBlume_FOX9) April 12, 2021
More detail on gunfire at Brooklyn Park PD Hqtrs around 8pm: No injuries reported. Sources tell me rounds blasted thru front glass doors, reaching the lobby. Again, this occurred in a community, neighboring Brooklyn Center where deadly police shooting occurred earlier. @FOX9
— Paul Blume (@PaulBlume_FOX9) April 12, 2021
Now, Gov. Tim Walz didn’t make the same mistake he made last year when he failed to call in the National Guard as things exploded out of control. He did, in fact, call the National Guard in this time; they got there around midnight.
But he still showed how bad it is to have Democrats in control of government when you need decisive leadership in response to the riots.
Check what he tweeted about what was going on.
I am closely monitoring the situation in Brooklyn Center. Gwen and I are praying for Daunte Wright’s family as our state mourns another life of a Black man taken by law enforcement.
— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) April 12, 2021
Now, while expressing concern for Wright’s family is the right thing to do, he doesn’t yet know the facts of the case. Yet, he clearly is already throwing the police under the bus in their reaction to the situation. That doesn’t help, that just jacks everyone up more.
Notice also what else is missing in that tweet. You’re the governor of the state. Where is your condemnation of the riots? Or even a call for a peaceful response, not a violent or criminal one? He’s completely missing in action when it comes to calling any of the rioting out. “Closely monitoring” isn’t criticizing anything.
This is your Democratic leadership, folks.
Why doesn’t Tim Walz just light a Molotov cocktail and hand it to a rioter? It be easier that way https://t.co/i95eu0NU37
— Ryan James Girdusky (@RyanGirdusky) April 12, 2021
Minnesota Republicans blasted Walz’s response, accusing him of “perpetuating a narrative of an unknown situation.”
“A Governor’s responsibility is minimize turmoil, not fan the flames in challenging times,” the Minnesota GOP said in a statement to Fox News. “We pray for the family and friends of Daunte Wright, and hope for a expediency in the investigation process. For a Governor to lead by casting blame and perpetuating a narrative of an unknown situation is not only irresponsible, it’s conduct unbecoming a Governor. We call on Governor Tim Walz to censure himself if he is not able to practice the discipline needed to lead our state in a way that helps us move forward together.”
Governor, your words fuel fire for protesters. You of all people should know to wait until the @MnDPS_BCA finish their investigation. In your tweet, you should have stopped after the words, “praying for Duante Wright’s family”. Everything after that was inappropriate.@MnDPS_DPS
— Saint Paul Republicans-MNGOP (@SPRCC_) April 12, 2021
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