Killing of Deona Marie Knajdek

A series of protests and civil unrest in the U.S. city of Minneapolis began on June 3, 2021, as a reaction to the police killing of Winston Boogie Smith, a 32-year-old black American man. Civil unrest began in the Uptown district on June 3 when few details of the incident were known. Two nights of protests followed that included looting and rioting. Protests were held over subsequent days with demonstrators periodically occupying a street intersection near where Smith was killed. == Vehicle-ramming attack ==

The evening of June 13, 2021, demonstrators blocked the intersection of West Lake Street and Girard Avenue for an event, with some playing volleyball and lawn games. Victims Deona Marie Knajdek The deceased victim was Deona Marie Knajdek, a 31-year-old woman from Minneapolis. Some reports also identified her as Deona Marie Knajdek Erickson, Deona Erickson, Her family described her as an active supporter of Black Lives Matter and social activists on issues of police brutality and gun violence. Knajdek had participated in daily protests over the killing of Winston Smith since June 3. Suspect Nicholas D. Kraus, a 35-year-old man from Saint Paul, Minnesota, was the driver of the vehicle that struck the demonstrators. He also had prior convictions for driving without a valid license, assault, failure to have insurance, and providing a false name to police. == Criminal proceedings ==

Investigation and charges Kraus allegedly made statements to police in which he repeatedly admitted to operating the vehicle. Three hours before the June 13, 2021, vehicle attack, a demonstrator had climbed a pole and spray painted a surveillance camera located at the intersection of West Lake Street and Girard Avenue. Officials believed the camera would have captured "crucial evidence" about crash, and law enforcement sought the public's assistance to identify a suspect who painted over the camera. A witness reported that the car seemed to accelerate as it approached the demonstration. Kraus was held in jail on a $1 million bond. He made his first court appearance on June 17, 2021, in Hennepin County District Court and was ordered by the judge to undergo a psychological evaluation to determine if he was competent to stand trial. Kraus’ trial was initially scheduled to begin on March 21, 2022, but it was delayed to July and then to October of that same year. Just as his the trial was about to commence, Kraus pleaded guilty in Hennepin County District Court on October 24, 2022. The charge of intentional second-degree murder charge was amended to unintentional second-degree murder, a lesser charge. Kraus also pleaded guilty to second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon for injuring another protester with his car. A second assault charge for another injured protester was dropped. At his sentencing hearing on November 23, 2022, Kraus was sentenced concurrently to 20 years in prison for the unintentional murder charge and 3.75 years for the assault charge. Kraus admitted to investigators and before the court that he had driven his vehicle at a high speed toward the makeshift barricades the night of June 13, 2021. His attorney said that he was unaware there was a demonstration and that he did not have a political motive for his actions. == Memorial and funeral ==

Hundreds of mourners gathered at the site of the attack for a vigil on the evening of June 14, 2021, and demonstrations continued that evening and in the following days. Knajdek's funeral was held on June 21, 2021, in her hometown of Rush City, Minnesota. == See also ==