Minnesota teams postpone games after shooting

MINNEAPOLIS • Professional sport in Minneapolis was effectively suspended on Monday following the fatal police shooting of a 20-year-old Black man in the suburb of Brooklyn Centre and subsequent outcry.

Major League Baseball's (MLB) Minnesota Twins, National Basketball Association's (NBA) Minnesota Timberwolves and the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL) were all set to play at home on Monday.

"Out of respect for the tragic events that occurred yesterday in Brooklyn Centre... the Minnesota Twins have decided it is in the best interests of our fans, staff, players and community to not play today's game with the Boston Red Sox," the team said in a statement.

The shooting on Sunday of Daunte Wright during a traffic stop led to protests through early Monday morning in Brooklyn Centre, Minnesota, as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.

The city's police chief said the shooting appeared to be an "accidental discharge" after the officer drew her gun instead of her Taser during a struggle.

The mayors of Minneapolis and St Paul on Monday declared a state of emergency and set a curfew from 7 pm to 6am.

Following that announcement, the NHL and the Wild released a joint statement that they were postponing Monday night's game with the St Louis Blues.

The NBA said it decided after consultation with the Timberwolves as well as state and local officials that the game between the Minneapolis team and the Brooklyn Nets would also be postponed.

"I think we have to stop saying it's frustrating for all Black Americans. I think we should be frustrated by all Americans," Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers said.

"I don't know if it was a mistake or not. I saw the video - the bodycam video like everyone else.

"But I know the frustration is a real thing for everybody and for us."

The August shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man fired on from behind seven times by a white police officer in Wisconsin, led to several athlete work stoppages.

Kenosha County prosecutors later cleared the officer, Rusten Sheskey, of criminal charges, saying he acted in self-defence.

REUTERS