Man who claimed George Floyd and Derek Chauvin 'bumped heads' says he was mistaken

David Pinney says 'I apologise for not doing my due diligence' following CBS interview

A man who claimed that George Floyd and the man charged with his murder, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, had previously "bumped heads" at the same club where they both worked as security guards has said that he had confused Mr Floyd for someone else.

In a story that CBS News published earlier this week, David Pinney said that the two men knew each other "pretty well" but, after that story was published, he told the network that "there has been a mix up between George and another fellow co-worker".

"I apologise for not doing my due diligence and placing you in a very uncomfortable situation," he wrote.

Mr Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder as well as third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter following Mr Floyd's death. Mr Chauvin, who along with three other officers at the scene was fired from the department, was captured in a widely shared video pinning Mr Floyd to the ground while he was in handcuffs and placing his knee to the back of his neck for nearly nine minutes.

Attorneys for Mr Floyd's family have argued that the charges should be raised to first-degree murder because they believe Mr Chauvin knew Mr Floyd.

Maya Santamaria, the former owner of Lake Street's El Nuevo Rodeo, initially connected Mr Pinney with CBS News.

"She specifically said she was unable to give [detailed] information about George because she did not have a close relationship with him as I did," Mr Pinney told CBS in an email, according to the network. He said that had led to confusion about Mr Floyd.

Mr Pinney said he stands by his initial description of Mr Chauvin as "extremely aggressive" within the club.

The killing of Mr Floyd, a black man, while in a white officer's custody has ignited waves of protests against police brutality and systemic racism in policing and other institutions.

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Critics have argued that Mr Pinney's story had undermined allegations of racial violence because of their previous relationship while others have suggested that it could give prosecutors justification for first-degree murder.

Ms Santamaria told CBS that she "was not surprised" by footage showing Mr Chauvin with his knee on Mr Floyd's neck.

"Because I've seen Chauvin do stuff along those lines," she said. "What surprised me was that he didn't stop right away."

Asked whether she believes Mr Chauvin had a problem with black people, she said she believes he was "afraid and intimidated".