At least five people have been shot at a protest over the fatal shooting of a black man by a police officer in Minneapolis.

Protesters alleged on Twitter that the shootings were carried out by white supremacists.

A spokesman for the Minneapolis Police Department, John Elder, told the Associated Press that five people were taken to hospital with non-life threatening gunshot wounds.

According to local newspaper, the Star Tribune, the shootings occurred outside an alleyway near the 4th Precinct police station where protesters have been conducting a sit-in.

The demonstration was to mark the shooting of an unarmed black man, Jamar Clark, by a police officer on 15th November and was reportedly peaceful.

Protesters have been camping outside the police station since last week.

According to one witness, Oluchi Omeoga, protesters spotted three people in masks who “weren’t supposed to be there”.

The three people then left the crowd and began walking away when a few protesters followed.

At the corner, the three people in masks pulled out weapons and began to shoot, Mr Omeoga said.

Miski Noor, a local spokeswoman for Black Lives Matter, said she arrived at the station five minutes after the attack and police had put tape around the scene as a crowd was forming.

It is currently unclear whether any suspects have been arrested.

Authorities have said Mr Clark was shot during a struggle when he tried to stop paramedics helping an assault victim. But some witnesses allege he was shot while handcuffed.

An investigation is currently underway to determine whether Mr Clark’s rights were intentionally violated by police through excessive force.