On November 15, 2015, Jamar ONeal Clark, a 24-year-old African-American man, was fatally shot by two Minneapolis police officers, Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning on Plymouth Avenue North, Minneapolis. According to reports, the confrontation began when police responded to a disturbance call involving Clark and his girlfriend, RayAnn Hayes.
Witnesses stated that Clark was handcuffed and slammed to the ground by the officers before being shot. However, the police union claimed that Clark was attempting to grab one of the officers' guns when he was shot.
Clark was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead the following day after being removed from life support. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner concluded that Clark died from a gunshot wound to the head. The officers involved, Ringgenberg and Schwarze, were placed on paid administrative leave following the incident. An investigation by county, state, and federal officials ensued, examining the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced on March 30, 2016, that no charges would be filed against the officers. Freeman stated that the evidence, including officers' testimony, witness statements, and forensic analysis, supported the officers' account that Clark was not handcuffed and had attempted to grab one of their guns. This decision sparked protests and demonstrations organized by Black Lives Matter and other community groups, highlighting the strained relationship between the Minneapolis Police Department and the local community.
In 2019, Clark's family reached a $200,000 civil settlement with the city of Minneapolis, which was approved by the city council. The settlement was part of the ongoing efforts to address the aftermath of the shooting and the broader issues of police conduct and accountability in the community.
