Protests have turned violent in the US city of St. Louis after police confronted demonstrators who were out in the streets against the acquittal of a white former police officer in the shooting death of black man several years ago.
Protests, mostly peaceful, began early Friday when Judge Timothy Wilson cleared former police officer Jason Stockley in the 2011 murder of black driver Anthony Lamar Smith.
Protest continued throughout the day and into the night with police using tear gas against people and arresting at least 30 protesters, interim St. Louis Police Chief Lawrence O’Toole said early Saturday. He said some nine police officers were injured.
“Many of the demonstrators were peaceful,” O’Toole said. “However, after dark many agitators began to destroy property and assault police officers.”
Police said that “agitators have converged on Mayor Krewson’s house. Throwing rocks and breaking windows, despite being instructed not to.”
