Four members of the Minneapolis Police Department have been fired over the death of George Floyd, who was filmed being pinned to the ground by his neck by a white police officer moments before he died in custody.
Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo confirmed in a press conference on Tuesday that four officers have been terminated following Monday's incident.
'We know there are inherent dangers in the profession of policing but the vast majority of the work we do never require the use of force,' Arradondo said.
The names of the four cops have not been released however, two officers seen in the video have been identified by Floyd's family's lawyer as officers Derek Chauvin and Tou Thao.
The two were filmed in a video taken by a bystander on Monday which showed Floyd struggling to breathe on the ground as a white cop knelt on his neck for over six minutes.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also announced the firings on Twitter, saying, 'This is the right call.'
It comes as the FBI and state law enforcement authorities announced they have launched an investigation into the Floyd's death.
Floyd, who was arrested on suspicion of forgery on Monday night, was heard repeatedly telling officers that he cannot breathe as he lay on the ground next to the tire of a squad car.
'Please, please, please, I can't breathe. Please, man,' Floyd, who is shirtless, begs the cop.
After several minutes, one of the officers tells the man to 'relax.'
'Man, I can't breathe,' Floyd responds, before eventually passing out.
The video was widely shared on social media sparking national outcry from politicians and members of the public who have called for the police officers involved to be held accountable.
Floyd was later identified as the victim by Ben Crump, a prominent civil rights and personal injury attorney who said he had been hired by Floyd's family.
Crump is also representing the family of 25-year-old black man Ahmaud Arbery, who was allegedly shot and killed by two white men in Georgia earlier this month.
Video shows cop kneeling on a moaning, motionless man who later died
A black man has died in Minneapolis police custody after video shared online from a bystander showed a white officer kneeling on his neck during his arrest as he pleaded that he couldn't breathe.
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