Family Demands Transparency, Evidence in Winston Smith's Death

Racial Reckoning: The Arc of Justice

32-year-old Smith was shot and killed during an attempted arrest by a federal task force Thursday. Authorities say there is no bodycam or squad car video of the incident, which took place on top of a parking ramp in Uptown Minneapolis. Smith was a father to three children, a comedian, a musician and a social media personality.

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Samantha HoangLong reports:

Just days after the one year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, protestors gathered in South Minneapolis over the weekend demanding transparency and accountability for Winston Smith, a 32-year old Black man.

Smith was shot and killed during an attempted arrest by a federal task force Thursday. Authorities say there is no bodycam or squad car video of the incident, which took place on top of a parking ramp in Uptown Minneapolis. Smith’s sister, Tieshia Floyd, wants a thorough investigation.

“We’re asking for transparency, video footage, just solid evidence,” Floyd said. “My brother was kind. No, he wasn’t perfect. None of us are. He was trying to turn over a new leaf but they took that away from him. They’re using his past to tarnish his character.”

Smith was a father of three children, a comedian, a musician and a social media personality whose many followers knew him as “Wince Me Boi.”

“If you knew him, he was a comedian. So this doesn’t sound like him. He was funny, full of love and life, and I’m not just saying that because I’m his sister,” Floyd said.

As the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigates, the community continues to demand more details around Smith’s death.