George Floyd's death determined to be a homicide: report

A privately commissioned autopsy following the killing of George Floyd has determined his death to be a homicide as a result of his detainment.

Conducted by the same doctor that examined the body of Eric Garner — one of a number of Black Americans killed at the hands of police in recent years — the report states that Floyd’s death was caused by “asphyxiation due to neck and back compression.”

Hennepin County Medical Examiner has also released its autopsy, which states the death was a direct result of “cardiopulmonary arrest complicating law enforcement subdual, restrain, and neck compression.”

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The Floyd family’s attorney, Ben Crump, released the reporting information from the private medical examination on Twitter Monday.

Independent medical examiners determined #GeorgeFloyd’s death was due to asphyxia from sustained forceful pressure. Full statement: pic.twitter.com/cIbWu8ssWX

— Benjamin Crump, Esq. (@AttorneyCrump) June 1, 2020

“While it was Chauvin’s knee that pressed into Floyd’s neck, it was the culture of the Minneapolis Police Department that was legally responsible for his death,” said co-counselor Antonio Romanucci.

Floyd’s death has reignited the conversation around racism in the United States and sparked protests across the country against police violence on Black Americans.

In a graphic video posted to social media on May 25, Floyd was heard repeatedly saying that he cannot breathe while former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin held him down with a knee on his neck.

According to an official police statement, Minneapolis police responded to a 911 call reporting a forgery in progress. The officers arrived and located a suspect in a vehicle. They reportedly ordered the suspect out of the vehicle, who then physically resisted the officers.

The officers claim to have handcuffed the suspect and restrained him on the ground while an ambulance was called. He was then transported to Hennepin County Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

After reviewing the footage taken by bystander Darnella Frazier, many Americans believe that this act by the police was a racial attack. Chauvin has since been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.

With files from Alyssa Therrien