Protesters and looters descend on Downtown Minneapolis

Minneapolis August Riot
Photo credit Getty Images/Star Tribune via Getty Images/Contributor

UPDATE: 9:30pm

Mayor Jacob Frey has announced that there is an immediate curfew in place in Minneapolis.  Frey has spoken with Governor Tim Walz and they have requested the assistance of the National Guard to put down this latest round of protests.  

"If you have friends, family, out and about in Minneapolis, go home now," Frey told reporters Wednesday night.  "The Governor and I have been in contact all night.  The state's been very responsive.  Every one of these situations is different.  I think that right now we are in a position where partnership and communication really matter."  

Police Chief Arrandando has said anyone found to be rioting, looting, or destroying property will be arrested immediately, saying, "We will not tolerate this."

Arrandando added that MPD estimated there were as many as 500 people gathered in downtown.  

An alleged suicide of a shooting suspect in Downtown Minneapolis Wednesday night set off another round of protests, and looting.  Many in the crowd were apparently convinced that police shot the suspect.

Earlier Wednesday, an alleged homicide took place in one of the downtown parking ramps.  According to reports, the suspect then took his own life after being pursued by police on Nicollet Mall.  Police spokesman John Elder told reporters that there is "no question that this was a suicide."

Minneapolis Police have shared video of the man shooting himself via Twitter. 

(WARNING: The video is extremely graphic.  We are linking to MPD's Tweet that they shared. Click here to see it. We are not posting that video to WCCO Radio's site. However, in light of the circumstances, the video does provide context for what happened in Minneaoplis immediately after the suicide so that is the reason we are sharing that link via MPD.)
Protestors then gathered outside Nordstrom Rack at 7th St. and Nicollet, throwing things through the windows and entering the store.

Ppl breaking into Nordstrom's pic.twitter.com/2oWqy7Pk0S

— Andy Mannix (@AndrewMannix) August 27, 2020

There was also a standoff outside the downtown Target along with other reports of break-ins at Foot Locker, the Medical Arts Building and Haskell's Wine and Spirits.

Massive looting and rioting in Nicollet Mall Target. #mplsdowntown pic.twitter.com/zHmt9tBm5Z

— Mike Karbo (@MKarbo) August 27, 2020

Officers from the Minneapolis Police Department along with the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office and Minnesota State Troopers were on the scene, macing crowds to try and disperse the gatherings.  

A lot of the crowd has dispersed, at least where I'm standing. Not sure where it goes from here. pic.twitter.com/9RGtlfGu0X

— Andy Mannix (@AndrewMannix) August 27, 2020

Governor Tim Walz, in a Twitter post, said, "Minneapolis, it’s time to heal. We must rebuild and recover. Dangerous, unlawful behavior will not be tolerated. The State Patrol is headed to Minneapolis to help restore order. I remain in close contact with the city and every state resource stands ready to help bring peace."

Minneapolis, it’s time to heal. We must rebuild and recover. Dangerous, unlawful behavior will not be tolerated. The State Patrol is headed to Minneapolis to help restore order. I remain in close contact with the city and every state resource stands ready to help bring peace.

— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) August 27, 2020

The protests in Minneapolis are also tied to the scene in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where protests, riots, and some serious violence has continued in the days following the shooting of Jacob Blake. 

This is a developing story.  Stay with WCCO Radio for more.