Minneapolis — Minneapolis officials have requested a federal investigation into the recent officer-involved shooting that critically injured a man on the city’s North Side and reignited the debate about race and police use of force.

Mayor Betsy Hodges and Police Chief Janee Harteau said Monday that a federal investigation would be completed alongside a second, separate investigation by the state’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. The move followed a full day of protests at the Police Department’s Fourth Precinct Headquarters and near the 1600 block of Plymouth Avenue North, where 24-year-old Jamar Clark was shot early Sunday morning.

The FBI and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division were called into the investigation less than two days after Clark was shot by officers responding to a disturbance call across the street from the Elks Lodge, a popular neighborhood hangout less than two blocks from the precinct station.

In a letter sent to U.S. Department of Justice officials, Hodges wrote that she and Harteau have “utmost faith” in the state investigation, but believe a federal probe will assist “the interests of transparency and community confidence.”

Protesters with Black Lives Matter had cited a federal investigation as one item on a broader list of demands. The group has also called for the city to release any video footage it has of the shooting and to immediately fire the officers involved in the incident.

A crowd of about 200 people who gathered outside the Fourth Precinct applauded when organizers announced “there’s going to be a federal investigation.” City officials have cautioned it may take time, an organizer told the crowd through a bullhorn. “But we can’t let them bury it. … We want to see the footage. We need justice for Jamar’s family. We need justice for this community.”

Organizers, asking protestors not to talk to mainstream media, led chants and riled up a shivering crowd: “Black Lives Matter.” “If we don’t get it, shut it down.” “Show me what democracy looks like. This is what democracy looks like.”

But before the bullhorns came out, a peaceful crowd grew and spilled out onto Plymouth Avenue North that organizers had blocked off. Many held onto hot drinks and hand warmers, refusing to let a cold November drizzle deter their show of solidarity and a cry for justice.

“We just want some answers,” said Draper Larkins. “The federal investigation might get answers. But we want the correct answers.”

Larkins said he was nearby when Clark was shot. “He was shot for nothing.”

He and others say they hope video of the incident will clear up the discrepancies between some of the witnesses and police.

After the protestors rallied and marched around the block, they headed to Interstate 94, shutting down the northbound lanes and backing up traffic.

Similar scenes have played in out in other cities across the country, following the killings of unarmed black men by police officers, heightening calls for body cameras to hold police accountable and greater transparency.

Protesters have alleged that Clark, who is black, was unarmed and handcuffed when he was shot. Police have said Clark was shot during a struggle after an alleged domestic assault. They say Clark, who had previous convictions for armed robbery and domestic abuse, was interfering with emergency responders who were treating his girlfriend.

In a news conference Monday afternoon, Harteau declined to answer questions about video taken of the shooting, other than to note that the officers were not wearing body cameras. She also deferred a question about the range at which Clark was shot, citing the ongoing investigation.

Officials did not name the officers involved in the shooting, but Ramona Dohman, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, said the names would be released following meetings with those officers. She said the meetings had been “tentatively scheduled” but would not elaborate on the timing.

Hodges said at a news conference at City Hall that the federal investigation will run parallel to a separate investigation by the BCA, which handles the bulk of such investigations in the state. The agency will look into whether two officers violated department policy in the shooting of Clark, who remained in critical condition at a hospital late Monday afternoon.

Gov. Mark Dayton issued a statement Monday afternoon in support of the city’s request for federal assistance.

“While I have complete confidence in the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, bringing to bear all available resources will ensure justice for all parties,” Dayton said.

The two officers were on administrative leave, according to department policy on police-involved shootings, after undergoing drug testing and visiting a police psychologist.

Dohman said the length of time for investigations by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension can vary, sometimes taking between two and four months.

Police union boss Lt. Bob Kroll said that he had spoken briefly with the two officers and cautioned against rushing to judgment without first knowing all the facts. He added that allowing authorities to “cherry-pick” which incidents to investigate sets a “dangerous precedent.”

The agency’s findings will be turned over to the Hennepin County attorney’s office, which will decide whether to impanel a 23-person grand jury and, potentially, charge the officers.

Some City Council members said they understand the interest in a speedy release of information, but also believe it’s important to sort out the facts and follow an established investigation process.

Council Member Blong Yang, who represents part of the north side and oversees the council’s Public Safety Committee, said he supports a federal investigation. He said the pace of the process so far is in line with those of other officer-involved incidents.

“In my view, you have to trust our process,” he said, “that it is a tried-and-true process and that it will work.”

As with most police forces, Minneapolis officers are authorized to use deadly force when they believe their lives are in danger or if a suspect is likely to commit a violent crime.

Don Samuels, a Minneapolis school board member and former council member, said he visited the scene and talked with family members and others who were confident the city has video that will paint a clear picture of the incident. He said releasing the video as soon as possible would be “a good thing,” but doesn’t believe the city can immediately fire an officer without completing a more detailed investigation. Do so, he said, and the city would risk a lawsuit.

Law enforcement officials say they believe that the officers shot Clark after he apparently confronted paramedics who were taking his girlfriend away in an ambulance. The shooting occurred in the early morning hours of Sunday, outside an apartment complex, less than two blocks from the local police station. Several witnesses and community leaders contend, however, that Clark was handcuffed and the ground when police shot him. The shooting, the aftermath of which was captured on several viral videos, touched off demonstrations about race and police use of force that stretched into the following evening.

On Monday, Clark’s father, James Hill, told reporters that “My son wasn’t a bad kid. … The police don’t care, the mayor don’t care, the police (chief) don’t care because they’re going to cover up for each other. My son’s got to get a stand somewhere, and I’m here to give him a stand.”

Hill said that his son’s “brain is dead. We are just waiting to pull the plug.”