Minnesota cop Derek Chauvin owns property near Windermere

The Minnesota police officer shown kneeling on the neck of George Floyd also owns a home near Windermere, Orange County property records show.

According to records, Derek Chauvin, 44, has owned a townhome near Windermere since 2011. However, Orange County Sheriff's Office investigators say he is not at the property at this time.

"For the safety of our community, we have verified that the Minneapolis Police Department officer with a home in Windermere in unincorporated Orange County is not at that home and has no plans to be in the area," Sheriff's Office officials announced via Twitter.

For the safety of our community, we have verified that the Minneapolis Police Department officer with a home in Windermere in unincorporated Orange County is not at that home, and has no plans to be in the area. #GeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/csmsugRgqy

— Orange County Sheriff's Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) May 29, 2020

"We learned a couple days ago though social media that the former Minnesota police officer had, in fact, a home in Windermere," Sheriff John Mina said. "We went out there to kind of monitor the situation. We did end up making contact with the family of the former police officer and learned they are not there at the home nor do they have any intentions of coming to that home."

Sheriff's Office officials are at the address to ensure the safety of residents there. There are some protesters in front of the house, but deputies have had no issues with anyone on scene.

"Everything’s been peaceful so far, and we’re proud of our community for that," Mina said. We understand that people want to do something they want to protest. We just ask … that people protest peacefully. And from everything that I've seen and heard, I think that’s what we’re seeing in Orange County. Our No. 1 priority is always the safety and security of the residents, of the protestors and of our deputies. We certainly understand people's right to free speech and protest, and we just want everyone to stay safe and protest peacefully."

Chauvin and three other officers were fired after a video surfaced of Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck as he cried out that he couldn't breathe. Floyd later died at a hospital.

In the days following the video's release, riots have erupted in Minneapolis, as well as in other cities across the country.