Ex-Minneapolis police officer arrested in death of George Floyd, charged with murder

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been taken into custody in connection with the death of George Floyd, who was killed during a police altercation earlier this week, according to KARE 11.

Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner John Mark Harrington reappeared at the podium Friday after a news conference ended, saying that the BCA has arrested Chauvin.

Chauvin has been charged with 3rd Degree Murder and Manslaughter, Hennepin County attorney announced. Prosecutors said the investigation is ongoing and they could make the charge second-degree murder.

Prosecutors also noted that they expect charges against the other three officers involved.

The arrest comes after three days of protests, which escalated in violence as demonstrators torched a police precinct that had been abandoned by officers.

On Monday night, an employee at a Minneapolis grocery store called police after Floyd allegedly tried to pass a counterfeit $20 bill.

More: George Floyd protesters set Minneapolis police station afire

In widely circulated cellphone video of the subsequent arrest, Floyd, who was black, can be seen on the ground with his hands cuffed behind his back while Officer Derek Chauvin presses him to the pavement with his knee on Floyd’s neck. The video shows Chauvin, who is white, holding Floyd down for minutes as Floyd complains he can’t breathe. The video ends with paramedics lifting a limp Floyd onto a stretcher and placing him in an ambulance.

Four officers were fired Tuesday; on Wednesday, Mayor Jacob Frey called for Chauvin to be criminally charged. Frey made no mention of the other three officers, who were also at the scene.

Related: Minnesota police arrest entire CNN TV crew covering George Floyd protests live on-air