PROTESTS HAVE ERUPTED after allegations that police in Minneapolis have shot a man in handcuffs.

The local branch of the NAACP in the city is claiming that a man named Jamar Clark was killed by police.

In a press release, the group has said that a number of witnesses watched the shooting happen at around 1am after police were called to the scene of a domestic dispute.

According to these, the victim was placed in handcuffs and pushed to the ground.

One witness, local resident and business owner Teto Wilson said: “The young man was just laying there; he was not resisting arrest. Two officers were surrounding the victim on the ground, an officer manoeuvered his body around to shield Jamar’s body, and I heard the shot go off.”

Protesters near the scene of the shooting yesterday evening Source: Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune via AP

Associated Press is reporting that local police chief Janee Harteau has spoken to the local community, and that much “misinformation” has been spread about the case. 

The two officers involved in the case have been put on paid leave and it is not immediately clear if they were wearing body cameras – although an independent investigation has been launched.

Neither officer has been named at this time.

On The Guardian’s website, a counter shows that so far this year in the United States more than 1,000 individuals have been killed by the police.

- With reporting by Associated Press 

Read: Controversial Russian media mogul found dead in Irish-owned Washington hotel

Also: Hacker group Anonymous is about to expose 1,000 Ku Klux Klan members