Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey urged Minnesota governor Tim Walz to send in the national guard after protests over the death of a George Floyd turned violent Wednesday night, the mayorโ€™s spokesperson confirmed Thursday.

Frey tweeted early Thursday morning asking protestors to remain civil, as news of a fatal shooting, widespread looting, and arson came in from the site of the demonstrations.

โ€œPlease, Minneapolis, we cannot let tragedy beget more tragedy. The area along Lake has become unsafe. We are asking for your help in keeping the peace tonight,โ€ he said.

Walz tweeted Wednesday night warning people to leave the area, saying โ€œthe situation near Lake Street and Hiawatha in Minneapolis has evolved into an extremely dangerous situation.โ€

Minneapolis police said they had taken one person into custody related to a shooting death near the site of the protests. Officers also responded to a report of a stabbing Wednesday night and took a gunshot victim who was not breathing to the hospital.

Four Minneapolis police officers were fired in connection to Floydโ€™s death, which occurred after an officer kneeled on his neck while he was handcuffed. While the initial police report claimed George โ€œphysically resisted officers,โ€ new video footage shows officers wrestling Floyd out of a car before he walks with them onto the sidewalk and appears to comply with further orders, before collapsing to the ground.

President Trump called Floydโ€™s death โ€œvery sad and tragicโ€ on Wednesday, and said he had asked the FBI and Justice Department to expedite an investigation into the incident as a potential civil rights violation.