George Floyd and Derek Chauvin knew each other and “bumped heads,” reveals former colleague
A former colleague of theirs breaks his silence and reveals Derek Chauvin and George Floyd not only knew each other, but did not get along.
On Tuesday (June 9), George Floyd was finally laid to rest in Houston, Texas two weeks after he died from asphyxia, which was caused by ex-officer Derek Chauvin of the Minneapolis Police Department pinning him down to the ground by pushing his knee into Floyd’s neck during an arrest.
Since then, Chauvin and the other three officers who were also involved in the arrest have been charged. However, more shocking details about Chauvin and Floyd’s relationship prior to this incident are continuing to surface. Though shortly after Floyd’s death speculation circulated that both he and Chauvin worked as security at a nightclub at the same time many years ago, it wasn’t confirmed that they ever crossed paths — until now.
A former colleague of theirs by the name of David Pinney is revealing that both men had a history of butting heads, CBS News reports. The witness reveals that their past conflict had to do with the way Chauvin would treat some of the club’s guests. “He knew him,” Pinney confidently declared when asked if he was certain that the now former police officer knew Floyd prior to his fatal arrest. “I’d say, pretty well.”
Maya Santamaria, the former owner of the nightclub the men worked, also spoke about Chauvin’s character while he was employed at her establishment. “I think he was afraid and intimidated,” she said when a reporter asked her how she believes he felt about Black people.
Last Wednesday (June 3), Chauvin’s charge of third degree murder and manslaughter was upgraded to second-degree murder. The three other ex-Minneapolis police officers involved in Floyd’s death were also charged with aiding and abetting a murder in the second degree.
Since the 46-year-old’s passing, protests across the United States and in numerous countries around the world have broken out to demand justice for him. Numerous public figures and celebrities such as Former President Barack Obama, JAY-Z, Beyonce, Rihanna, Kevin Hart, Dr. Dre, Drake and more have voiced this message, as well.
Watch the CBS News interview below.