May 25, 2020: George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, is killed during an encounter with four Minneapolis police officers who responded to a call that a man used a counterfeit $20 bill at a store at the corner of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in south Minneapolis. A video recorded by a bystander goes viral showing officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck for nearly 9½ minutes.
May 26, 2020: Shortly after midnight, Minneapolis police release a statement describing Floyd's death as "a medical incident during a police interaction." It makes no mention of Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck. The four officers at the scene are fired and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey calls for them to be charged. The FBI launches an investigation. Thousands march in Minneapolis and protesters clash with police outside MPD's Third Precinct on Lake Street. The intersection of 38th and Chicago becomes a makeshift memorial known as George Floyd Square.
May 28, 2020: As violent protests continue in Minneapolis, St. Paul and cities around the country, protesters overrun Minneapolis' Third Precinct and set fire to the building. Gov. Tim Walz activates the Minnesota National Guard. It is the Guard's largest deployment since World War II.
May 29, 2020: Chauvin is arrested and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
June 5, 2020: MPD announces new limits on the use of force by officers, including a ban on chokeholds and neck restraints as well as stronger requirements for officers to intervene if a colleague is using excessive force.
June 9, 2020: Floyd's funeral is held and he is buried next to his mother in Houston, Texas, where he lived most of his life.
July 15, 2020: Floyd's family files a federal wrongful-death lawsuit against Minneapolis and the four police officers, citing a "reckless disregard" for Floyd's civil rights.
Jan. 12, 2021: Judge Peter Cahill rules Chauvin will stand trial separately from the other three officers, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao.
