George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died on Monday after a Derek Chauvin, a white officer, in Minneapolis arrested him and pressed his knee on Floyd's neck for several minutes. In a video released online, Floyd can be heard saying, "I can't breathe." The video ends with paramedics lifting a limp Floyd onto a stretcher and placing him in an ambulance. Floyd was reported dead shortly after. Police claim Floyd was resisting arrest.
The death is currently being investigated. Four officers involved in the arrest were fired from the Minneapolis Police Department and protests broke out in Minneapolis, Memphis, and Los Angeles over the treatment of Floyd and the circumstances of his death.
Batista and Titus O'Neil both spoke out on the situation.
Titus O'Neil posted on Instagram the difficulties of being a black man and black father, having to explain to his children how why they are treated differently and how many of his peers will never understand.
Lance Storm also weighed in on the matter.
Mr. Floyd was accused of writing a bad check. He is now dead. Let that sink in. Mass shooters get apprehended with greater care. Although most of them are white. You can let that sink in too.
— Lance Storm (@LanceStorm) May 27, 2020
The Justice Department said in a statement on Thursday morning that it had made a federal investigation into Mr. Floyd’s death a “top priority” and has assigned experienced prosecutors and investigators to the case.