Murder of George Floyd — 2020 police murder of a black man in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Floyd's murder by a Minneapolis police officer sparked global protests against police brutality and became a catalyst for widespread debate on racial justice and policing.
Key Facts
- Victim's age
- 46 years old
- Duration of neck restraint
- Over 9 minutes
- Chauvin's sentence
- 22.5 years in prison
- Wrongful death settlement
- US$27 million paid by Minneapolis
- Officers fired
- 4 officers dismissed the following day
- Federal charges
- All 4 officers convicted of civil rights violations
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
George Floyd was arrested on May 25, 2020, after a store clerk reported he had used a counterfeit $20 bill. During the arrest, officers attempted to place him in a police vehicle; Floyd complained of claustrophobia and an inability to breathe before being forced to the ground in handcuffs.
Officer Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd's neck for over nine minutes while Floyd lay face-down and handcuffed. Officers Kueng and Lane assisted in restraining him, while Thao blocked bystanders from intervening. Floyd repeatedly said he could not breathe, fell silent, and was later found to have no pulse. Two autopsies ruled his death a homicide.
All four officers were fired the day after witness videos became public. Chauvin was convicted of murder and manslaughter and sentenced to 22.5 years; the other three were convicted on state and federal charges. Floyd's death triggered worldwide protests against police brutality, racism, and lack of accountability, and prompted broad legislative and institutional debate over policing reform.