5 shot in US rally over death of black man

Five people were shot and suffered injuries, Minneapolis police said on Twitter Tuesday, with local media reporting that the incident occurred at a protest over the fatal shooting by police of a black man.

Police said all injuries from the late-Monday incident were not life threatening and tweeted that officers are "searching for 3 white male suspects" who fled the scene.

US media reported it was not clear what had instigated the shooting, but some involved with the protest said they believed the shootings were racially motivated.

Police reported that they heard "the sound of multiple shots fired in the area" one block north of the Minneapolis Police Department's Fourth Precinct, in a statement early Tuesday.

"Shortly after, numerous 911 calls came in reporting that five people had been shot," the department said.

Police confirmed on Twitter that "5 people shot near 4th PCT, transported to hospital w/ non-life threatening injuries."

"Dozens of officers responded almost immediately attending to victims and secured the scene," the department said in its statement.

Three victims were taken to North Memorial Medical Center by private vehicle and two more were taken to the Hennepin County Medical Center by ambulance, it added.

The incident reportedly occurred during a protest over the death of 24-year-old Jamar Clark, who was fatally shot on November 15.

Authorities say he died in a struggle with police but some witnesses say Clark was handcuffed. Protests have been ongoing since his death.

His brother on Tuesday thanked demonstrators for their continued vigilance but asked them to halt activity out of concern, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

"Thank you to the community for the incredible support you have shown for our family in this difficult time," his brother Eddie Sutton said in a statement, according to the paper.

"In light of tonight's shootings, the family feels out of imminent concern for the safety of the occupiers, we must get the occupation of the Fourth Precinct ended and onto the next step."

Minneapolis police said they were "actively investigating the shootings" and that additional uniformed officers had been called to the area.
Source: AFP