Jury acquits man who fired at Minneapolis police in self-defense during unrest

A St. Paul man was found not guilty on all charges of shooting at Minneapolis police officers during the unrest that followed George Floyd's killing this year.

Following a trial in July, a Hennepin County jury acquitted Jaleel K. Stallings, 29, of eight counts, including second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault and second-degree riot in connection with the May 30, 2020, incident. According to charges, police in an unmarked van patrolling the area of 15th Avenue S. and Lake Street fired 40 mm marking rounds — commonly known as rubber bullets — at Stallings, and he returned fire with a handgun before he was arrested.

Stallings' acquittal was first reported this week by the Minnesota Reformer, in an article that said he was struck in the chest by a marking round and returned fire in self-defense. He did not know the projectiles were coming from officers because he could not see them in the unmarked white van, and he surrendered once he discovered they were police, according to the Reformer.

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