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- calendar_today October 13, 2026
Minneapolis to Settle Police Misconduct Case Linked to George Floyd Protests
The city of Minneapolis has agreed to pay more than $2 million to six individuals injured by SWAT team actions during the civil unrest that followed the killing of George Floyd in 2020. This settlement is the latest in a series of multimillion-dollar payouts by the city related to allegations of police misconduct during the widespread protests and disorder sparked by Floyd's death.
Background: SWAT Team Incident at Lake Street Gas Station
The case centers on an event that took place five days after George Floyd’s killing. On the night of May 30, 2020, Assad Awaijane, the owner of the Stop-N-Shop gas station at 17th Avenue and Lake Street, his family, and friends sat outside the station—which had been looted the previous night—attempting to protect it from further damage. During a cookout outside the store, a Minneapolis Police Department SWAT Unit, operating in an unmarked white van and enforcing a curfew, pulled up and fired 40-millimeter marking rounds at the group, reportedly without warning. Several were struck in the back, shoulder, and other areas by the plastic projectiles, which, though less lethal than bullets, can cause serious injury.
Bodycam Footage Reveals Details of Police Actions
Body camera videos later released from the SWAT team depict officers shooting at people outside the gas station and making inappropriate remarks. These videos showed the team, led by Sgt. Andrew Bittell, acting on a supervisor’s instruction to “gas ‘em.” They also reveal officers joking about hunting anarchists, making racist comments, and celebrating their shots. The footage indicates that two individuals who surrendered were pepper-sprayed before the group was forced into the station. The officers did not check on the injured or offer apologies before leaving the scene.
Broader Context of Unrest and Police Lawsuits
The violence and property destruction during the protests resulted in approximately $500 million in damage across 1,500 buildings in Minneapolis and St. Paul, according to insurance estimates. The events of 2020, regarded as the second-costliest civil disturbance in U.S history after the Los Angeles riots of 1992, have led to a surge in police lawsuits and civil unrest payouts. One high-profile case involved protester Soren Stevenson, who lost an eye and was awarded a $2.4 million settlement. Army veteran Jaleel Stallings, injured and later acquitted in a separate confrontation with the same SWAT team, also won a $1.5 million settlement after filing a lawsuit alleging excessive force.
Lawsuit Details and Settlement
Six people involved in the Stop-N-Shop incident—Assad Awaijane, Robert Awaijane, Anisse Campbell, Darius Campbell, Wayne Green, and Merrick Jackson—filed suit against the city and multiple officers in 2023, accusing the police of using excessive and indiscriminate force and violating their constitutional rights. The plaintiffs described their experience as “more terrifying” than being evacuated from war zones, emphasizing the trauma they experienced from what they believed were live rounds.
The city conceded to the judgment without admitting guilt. The settlement, which will be funded by city taxpayers due to Minneapolis’s self-insurance policy, includes attorneys’ fees and costs. Notably, the city denied indemnification to five involved officers, citing malfeasance and bad faith—a move upheld by the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
Ongoing Impact and Calls for Accountability
Police misconduct cases have placed substantial financial strain on Minneapolis, which faces a projected $134 million shortfall in its self-insurance fund, according to City Controller George Hargrove. Settlements have increased as juries have become less sympathetic to city arguments. Attorney Eric Rice, representing the Awaijane family, argues this highlights the need for stronger police accountability and discipline, stating, "The community has paid out more than $4 million for 10 minutes of this unit’s time due to their misconduct." He added that funds spent on civil unrest payouts could have been better utilized supporting the community.
The Minneapolis City Attorney’s Office did not provide comment about the latest settlement.
Source: startribune.com.
