Protests erupt after black man shot by police in Minneapolis

Reports said Jamar Clark is on life-support

Reports said Jamar Clark is on life-support (AP)

An investigation has been launched into the shooting by a Minneapolis police officer of a black man suspected in an assault - an incident that prompted protests and led to a community meeting with the mayor and police chief Sunday.

Accounts from some witnesses that the man was handcuffed when he was shot sparked outrage. Police said their preliminary investigation shows the man was not handcuffed but the investigation is ongoing, the Associated Press said.

Jason Sole, chair of the Minneapolis NAACP's criminal justice committee, said many black residents of north Minneapolis were upset.

“We have been saying for a significant amount of time that Minneapolis is one bullet away from Ferguson,” he said. “That bullet was fired last night. We want justice immediately.”

The shooting happened after police said they were called to north Minneapolis at about 12:45 a.m. Sunday for a report of an assault. When they arrived, the man had returned and was interfering with paramedics who were assisting the victim, police said. Officers tried to calm him, but there was a struggle.

At some point, an officer fired at least once, hitting the man, police said. Witnesses told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that there was a big crowd at the scene, and bystanders became agitated as police pushed them back.

Family members and witnesses identifying the victim as Jamar Clark.

Martez McKnight, 22, said that Mr Clark, his uncle, was put on life support after he was taken to a hospital.

“The family is heartbroken and traumatised by the whole event,” he said.