Protests Begin After Another Police Officer Is Acquitted On Murder Charges
Protesters incited police agitation Friday night in St. Louis after the acquittal of a white former police officer who was charged with murder last year for fatally shooting a black driver after a car chase.
“Many of the demonstrators were peaceful. However, after dark, many agitators began to destroy property and assault police officers,” St. Louis police chief Lawrence O’Toole said in a joint video statement with Mayor Lyda Krewson.
About 1,000 protesters swarmed to the mayor’s home, throwing rocks and breaking windows, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. They were met by about 200 police in riot gear who tried to disperse them with tear gas.