MPD Union Leader: 'Black Lives Matter Is A Terrorist Organization'
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The president of the Minneapolis Police union says the officers involved in the fatal shooting of Jamar Clark are vindicated after a federal investigation cleared them of any wrongdoing.
Lt. Bob Kroll spoke at a press conference Wednesday afternoon, where he blasted Mayor Betsy Hodges and Minneapolis City Council members Alondra Cano, Cam Gordon and Lisa Bender for creating what he called a "dangerous and unproductive atmosphere."
He also said they were "contributing to the disruption and takeover of the 4th Precinct" in the aftermath of the November shooting.
"They let the process play out, and they were wrong," Kroll said. "The officers' actions were justified."
He called the shooting "unfortunate and tragic," but put the blame squarely on Clark.
"Jamar Clark dictated the circumstances that night," he said.
Related: Timeline Of Events In The Jamar Clark Case
Kroll's harshest words were pointed at Black Lives Matter, who he described as a "terrorist organization."
"I don't see Black Lives Matter as a voice for the black community in Minneapolis," he said. "The disruption, the, you know, they firebombed the precinct. There were shootings outside the precinct, hundreds of thousands of dollars [of damage] to the precinct and squad cars."
Kroll said Officers Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze, and their families, were all victims of the "obtrusive" investigation -- all for "going to a 911 call and doing their job."
"It's a happy day for them. The truth came out and they prevailed," he said.
Kroll ended the conference by criticizing the fact that the officers are now in the midst of a third investigation, at the hands of Minneapolis Police.
"What other career do you get investigated three times for the same incident?" Kroll said.
Ringgenberg and Schwarze have been cleared by two investigations: one by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and one by the FBI.