Live updates: Sixth night of protests Downtown ends peacefully

INDIANAPOLIS — Demonstrators gathered Downtown for the sixth straight day Wednesday to protest recent police-involved killings of black people, including George Floyd in Minneapolis and Dreasjon Reed in Indianapolis.

Follow along here for updates. 

Protest ends peacefully

A sixth night of protesting Downtown ended peacefully around 9 p.m., with the group dispersing.

Four arrested Tuesday for curfew violations 

Four people were arrested for violating curfew in Indianapolis on Tuesday, Indianapolis Metro Police Department spokesperson Aliya Wishner said. 

Two people were arrested following a traffic stop when they disregarded "multiple curfew announcements." Curfew on Tuesday was from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Wednesday. 

Two others were arrested after allegedly fleeing and attempting to hide from police. They were arrested for curfew violations and resisting police. 

Protesters list demands for IMPD

Protesters listed several demands for IMPD: Review of use of force policies, identification of the officer who shot Dreasjon Reed, charging that officer, telling the truth about Reed shooting, and getting body cameras.

Protesters begin marching

Protesters began marching Downtown shortly after 5 p.m., with crowd estimates around 300. Protesters were handed water bottles.

After protesters spoke at the City-County Building plaza, they continued on Delaware Street.

New charges in George Floyd killing

All four Minneapolis police officers in the killing of George Floyd now will face charges, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar said Wednesday.

"Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is increasing charges against Derek Chauvin to 2nd degree in George Floyd’s murder and also charging other 3 officers. This is another important step for justice," the Democratic senator tweeted.

Thomas Lane, J.A. Keung and Tou Thao were the other officers on the scene.

Floyd family attorney Benjamin Crump has repeatedly implored officials to hold the other officers accountable, including earlier Wednesday afternoon in powerful remarks at the site of Floyd's killing outside of a convenience store.

The incident has sparked mass protests over questions of police brutality and racial inequality and has shaken the nation. Once news of the additional charges broke, Crump called the moment "bittersweet" and said the Floyd family was "deeply gratified" for Ellison's action.

IMPD chief says court must 'immediately' appoint special prosecutor in Dreasjon Reed case

On Wednesday, IMPD police chief Randal Taylor said the wait for a special prosecutor "is unacceptable."

"Our community is rightly calling for the release of information and the fulfillment of our commitment to a transparent investigation with monitoring from federal authorities," Taylor said in a statement. "This simply cannot occur without the direction and oversight of an independent prosecutor. 

"I join our community members in calling on the Marion County Superior Court to immediately appoint a special prosecutor to oversee the investigation as it proceeds, release information as soon as is possible, and make a swift and thorough charging determination based on the facts of the case.”

For more, read our full story.

No curfew Wednesday, Thursday

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett announced he will not extend the curfew order for Marion County into Wednesday or Thursday. Hogsett does plan to institute a curfew for Friday and Saturday "to address public safety needs associated with the larger projected crowd size of planned weekend gatherings."

The decision comes after three nights of a countywide curfew that was in response to violence in vandalism last weekend. 

“After a difficult weekend, Indianapolis has experienced three days of peaceful protest that has powerfully contributed to a national conversation on our criminal justice system," Hogsett said in a statement.

"To the men and women of IMPD: thank you for protecting first amendment rights, under difficult conditions, as our community wrestles with necessary change. And to those who have chosen the path of nonviolent protest—we see you, we hear you, and we will work with you over the coming days, weeks, and months.

Storms possible Wednesday night 

Jason Puma, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Indianapolis, said there's about a 55% chance that the metro area will see showers and thunderstorms Wednesday. 

The system — charged by a cold front that's dropping out of the Illinois and Michigan area and pushing southward — could hit anywhere between 4 p.m. and midnight, Puma said. 

There's also a slight risk of severe storms bringing lightning, hail and damaging winds. Puma said people should keep an eye out for a thunderstorm watch and adjust accordingly.

"So tonight's one of those nights when people need to pay a little more attention to weather," Puma said, adding that anyone outside when a watch or warning is issued should seek shelter. 

Gov. Holcomb addresses protests

Gov. Eric Holcomb addressed protests in Indianapolis during his regular coronavirus briefing Wednesday. 

"I want to thank all the peaceful protesters who have not been just protesting but demonstrating for a very important cause," Holcomb said. "It is those who seek to strengthen the very fabric of our state, which includes many colors, that we owe not just our attention but our action."

Holcomb encouraged Hoosiers to listen to or read a Martin Luther King, Jr. speech from 1963 to help navigate the times.

"He connected with so many different emotions in America, but so many of those same emotions are percolating and overflowing today."

Carmel lifts curfew 

Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard has lifted the city's curfew that took effect Tuesday night.  

“After conferring this afternoon with the Police Chief, I feel that we can safely lift the restrictions on travel throughout the community," Brainard said in a statement. "However, I will not hesitate to reissue a curfew if the need arises. I appreciate the cooperation and understanding of the community as we navigate this new territory together."

Dreasjon Reed family call for transparency

The family of Dreasjon "Sean" Reed made a public call Wednesday morning for an open, independent investigation into his death following an altercation with officers of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

Demetree Wynn, Reed's mother, was joined by attorneys Swaray Conteh and Fatima Johnson at West 62nd Street and Michigan Road, where the 21-year-old Reed was fatally shot by a police officer on May 6. 

Johnson strongly denied that Reed fired at police officers during the altercation.

"The narrative that we've all heard is that Dreasjon Reed shot and fired at an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer," Johnson said, "and I'm here to say to you today unequivocally that Dreasjon Reed, Sean Reed, did not shoot a gun, did not point a gun, did not brandish a gun at an officer. He did not. The narrative that you've heard is incorrect, is false, is misleading. It did not happen."

Conteh said attorneys have evidence that contradicts IMPD's statement that Reed shot at officers, but he said they would not release the evidence at this time.

Suburbs stand in solidarity 

The city of Carmel will host a solidarity vigil Wednesday night to "express our unity with those who have been peacefully expressing themselves in Carmel, central Indiana and all across the nation,” Mayor Brainard said. 

The vigil will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the fire bay of the Main Headquarters of the fire department at 2 Civic Square. 

Speakers will include Brainard, Carmel Police Chief Jim Barlow and Commission member Dee Thornton. Following remarks, the crowd will observe 8 minutes 46 seconds of silence accompanied by a single drum beat per minute, with help from a Carmel Fire Department Drum and Pipes drummer.

That's the length of time a Minneapolis police officer held his knee on George Floyd's neck. Floyd died during from incident, sparking protests across the world. 

Officials ask that those who attend bring face coverings and observe proper physical distancing. 

The city of Zionsville held a solidarity vigil Monday. 

IndyStar staff contributed to this story. 

Contact IndyStar reporter Elizabeth DePompei at 317-444-6196 or edepompei@indystar.com. Follow her on Twitter: @edepompei.