Floyd, whom Santamaria called a “good guy” known for his big smile, often worked as an extra security guard on Tuesdays when the club organized famous “urban” musical nights. Chauvin has been an off-duty police officer for the club for nearly 17 years.
“I wouldn’t characterize them as getting to know each other,” Santamaria told CNN’s Josh Campbell in an interview. “We all worked together in the club at different times, certainly on Tuesdays and in the evenings. We all worked on the same team.”
Santamaria added: “We all worked together on certain nights and they would cross roads.”
For Santamaria, seeing the video showing Floyd handcuffed and lying on the ground saying “I can’t breathe,” while Chauvin holds him down with one knee on Floyd’s neck was shocking.
“I didn’t understand what I was seeing,” said Santamaria. “I kept screaming on my phone telling Chauvin to leave. It’s horrible. It’s absolutely beyond words. And having known Chauvin, I can’t believe he didn’t have humanity to listen to this poor man who begged for his air and his life “.
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