‘Light ‘Em Up’: Paint Rounds Shot At Minneapolis Residents

MINNEAPOLIS — Police working to contain the violence in Minneapolis Saturday night shot paint rounds at residents who were on their porch after curfew, a video shows. The National Guard said they were not involved in the incident.

Law enforcement sweeping a small, residential street in the Whittier neighborhood yelled at the residents to "get inside, now!" Moments later, when the residents were still on the porch, one law enforcement member yelled "light em up!' and another shot paint rounds at them, splattering across the home.

Residents in Minneapolis and St. Paul have been told to stay inside their homes after curfew.

Some people criticized the police for their actions, while others blamed the residents for not going inside quickly enough.

According to reports, a veteran photojournalist with WCCO — Tom Aviles — as arrested by Minnesota State Patrol on Saturday despite identifying himself as a member of the press. Another reporter, MSNBC's Ali Velshi, said he was hit in the leg by a rubber bullet and said the state police and the National Guard fired "unprovoked" into a peaceful rally.

Another reporter, KSTP's Ryan Raiche, said he, his photographer and his producer wear tear gassed and pepper sprayed despite identifying themselves as members of the media.

Authorities in Minneapolis deployed tear gas and used flashbangs to get demonstrators in the city to disperse as an 8 p.m. curfew went into effect on the fifth night of protests over the death of 46-year-old George Floyd.

In a conference Sunday morning, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz expressed disappointment in the actions of police who targeted journalists.

"I want to extend my deepest apologies to the journalists who were once again in the middle of this situation and who were inadvertently, but nevertheless, detained," Walz said. "To them personally, to the news organizations and to journalists everywhere: it is unacceptable. I said when it happened the other day, when I failed you, I have to do better. I continue to need to do and send that message."

Walz went on to say he takes responsibility for the actions.

"It is certainly not our intention, nor is it helpful to restoring public order, to have that happen. You can rest assured we will look back again at what happened and try to make those changes," he said.

Read more: Minneapolis Protests: Tear Gas Used To Disperse Crowds

Payton Potter contributed to this report.