George Floyd death: Nebraska bar owner seen shooting protester to death in spine-chilling video
OMAHA, NEBRASKA: Police have revealed that a man protesting the death of George Floyd was fatally shot outside a bar in Nebraska.
22-year-old James Scurlock was shot in Omaha late on May 30 in the city's Old Market section, where protesters reportedly gathered during a second straight night in response to the tragic death of George Floyd on May 25 in Minneapolis, according to the Omaha World-Herald. Scurlock later died in a hospital.
The newspaper reported that the alleged shooter is currently in custody and under interrogation. He has been identified by police sources to local outlets as a nearby bar owner.
“Last night, I lost a son,” Scurlock's heartbroken father said on May 31. “My kids lost a brother. His daughter lost a father... We want them to go to court.”
You can watch the video here.
In a tweet early on May 31, police revealed that a suspect had been taken into custody. While the alleged shooter was not officially identified, multiple news outlets claimed the suspect was Jake Gardner, who reportedly owns two bars near where Scurlock was shot.
Gardner wrote on Facebook about protecting his business amid the ongoing demonstrations downtown just hours before the deadly confrontation, the Omaha World-Herald reported.
“Just when you think, ‘what else could 2020 throw at me?’ Then you have to pull 48 hours of military-style firewatch,” he wrote.
Speaking to the newspaper, Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine said he would determine whether charges were warranted in the shooting.
Meanwhile, Scurlock's father said he believed charges must be filed in the fatal incident, but urged protestors not to loot or be violent in his son's memory.
According to KMTV, investigators are now reviewing all the evidence collected from the scene, which includes witness interviews as well as surveillance and video footage. The World-Herald reported how footage from the shooting showed a man (who appears to be Gardner) standing outside as a witness yells he has a gun. The report said two shots subsequently rang out as the man was approached by a group of people. one of whom appeared to be Scurlock.
We are still seeking additional comment and information from Omaha law enforcement.
According to the World-Herald, one of Gardner's bars, The Hive, is decorated with memorabilia from rock troupe 311, a band from Omaha that once performed at the establishment. However, the band released a statement condemning Scurlock's killing by one of its "longtime" fans.
“We do not stand for bigotry or prejudice of any kind and denounce these senseless killing and those responsible,” the band tweeted. “Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect. Let’s keep it that way. This hatred needs to stop, and we need to stand up and work together to end it.”
Meanwhile, a woman believed to be the mother of Scurlock's daughter took to Facebook and shared pictures of him holding their young girl while saying she couldn't believe he was no more.
“I can’t stop looking through my camera roll,” she wrote. “My baby gone.”