The innocent man killed early Tuesday morning as Minneapolis police pursued a carjacking suspect in a patrol car has been identified as Leneal Frazier, the uncle of Darnella Frazier, who filmed the death of George Floyd.
On Tuesday, Frazier shared a post about her uncle’s death in a statement on Facebook. “I woke up to the most horrible news,” she wrote. “MINNEAPOLIS police killed my uncle. MY uncle…another black man lost his life in the hands of police!”
At around 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 6, a Minneapolis police officer who had been chasing a carjacking and robbery suspect for eight blocks crashed into a car Leneal Frazier at the intersection of 41st Avenue North and Lyndale Avenue in north Minneapolis. Frazier was killed in the collision, while the suspect successfully made a getaway in the stolen car.
“An officer observed the suspect vehicle in that area, attempted to pull it over and the vehicle, instead of pulling over, fled,” Minneapolis police spokesperson John Elder said.
The squad car was going north on Lyndale in pursuit of the suspect, while Frazier’s uncle was driving westbound on 41st. He was taken to North Memorial Health in Robbinsdale by ambulance but later died. Another driver driving southbound on Lyndale was also injured and is recovering at home, while the pursuing officer was treated for injuries and released. The suspect has not been found. The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating the crash but has not commented on the matter. Minnesota police have not said if there is body camera or dash camera footage of the collision.
According to Minneapolis police policy, officers should not engage in a pursuit where there is “an unreasonable risk to the officer, the public or passengers of the vehicle being pursued.” Police can start pursuing a vehicle if they believe “a serious and violent felony or gross misdemeanor” has either been committed or will be committed by the driver or occupants.
Frazier, just 17 years old when she filmed the death of George Floyd, was recognized by the Pulitzer Prize Board in June for “courageously recording the murder of George Floyd, a video that spurred protests against police brutality around the world, highlighting the crucial role of citizens in journalists’ quest for truth and justice.”
On Facebook, she wrote about her reaction to learning of her uncle’s death. “I asked my mom several times ‘he died??'” she wrote. “I couldn’t accept what I was hearing and I still can’t.” She continued, “Minneapolis police has cost my family a big loss. Today has been a day full of heartbreak and sadness…It’s not fair how the police can just go around killing people. WHY ARE YOU DOING A HIGH SPEED CHASE ON A RESIDENTIAL RODE?”
