Starting on Friday, hundreds of Black Lives Matter activists protested in St. Louis in response to a judge acquitting a police officer who shot a back man. Multiple police officers were injured and property was destroying, including the mayor’s home.
The Missouri police officer in question, Officer Jason Stockley, reportedly said he was “going to kill this motherf**ker” on radio scans prior to the incident with Anthony Lamar Smith in 2011. Stockley was on trial for first-degree murder.
Throughout the weekend, the St. Louis Police Department reported multiple officers were injured during the protests. Other people were also injured in the chaos:
Rocks & water bottles have been thrown at our officers throughout the day. Officers used great restraint. #STLVerdict pic.twitter.com/LIl2OxKhcO
— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) September 15, 2017
At least 2 police officers hurt after chemical agents used near Waterman and Kingshighway after #JasonStockley verdict. pic.twitter.com/K9fi7HGwax
— Robert Cohen (@kodacohen) September 16, 2017
A total of 8 officers have sustained injuries throughout the day. #STLVerdict
— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) September 16, 2017
4 officers assaulted. 1 treated for hand injury. 3 not treated-1 hit w/ water bottle, 1 knocked off bike & 1 pinned on bike. #STLVerdict
— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) September 15, 2017
Woman knocked down during demonstration shown in @FOX2now's video failed to obey officers' orders & was charged w/ "Interfering" #STLVerdict
— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) September 16, 2017
JUST IN: our cameras captured agitators hurling a brick toward a line of police, striking an officer & knocking them down. @ksdknews pic.twitter.com/I8SfDdLE5R
— Jacob Long (@JacobLong_KSDK) September 16, 2017
On Saturday, the police department issued a statement saying that so far, eleven police officers have been injured:
Eleven Law Enforcement Officers Injured During Demonstrations. #STLVerdict pic.twitter.com/EQpTyHK31Y
— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) September 16, 2017
As of Saturday morning, there had been 33 arrests made in relation to the rioting:
Thirty-Three Arrests During Demonstrations. #STLVerdict pic.twitter.com/4O5PW7k2JT
— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) September 16, 2017
Saturday evening into Sunday morning, the police tweeted that debris had been thrown at officers and 7 were arrested:
(1/2) UCity PD requested assistance Saturday after peaceful protest turned violent when debris was thrown at officers. #stlverdict pic.twitter.com/SH6dtElDXs
— St. Louis County PD (@stlcountypd) September 17, 2017
(2/2) Correction: 7 arrested by #STLCountyPD: 5 adults, 2 juveniles. Charges include resisting, destruction of property & assault on LEO. https://t.co/Fe8ctCjLa6
— St. Louis County PD (@stlcountypd) September 17, 2017
Even reporters were not spared from the conflict:
Scariest moment in my career. Protesters upset about not guilty verdict for an officer accused of killing a suspect, turn on me and media. pic.twitter.com/iZyvg3gX0p
— Dan Gray KTVI Fox 2 (@DanGrayTV) September 15, 2017
Over the weekend, property was damaged throughout the city, including a library and Mayor Lyda Krewson’s house:
Agitators damaging a police car. Those causing destruction distract from the mission of peaceful protesters. #STLVerdict pic.twitter.com/Rbtpo1gAxc
— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) September 15, 2017
Agitators have destroyed property of at least one business in the #CWE @STLpubLibrary #stlverdict
— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) September 16, 2017
Destruction of property reported at Culpeppers in #CWE as agitators continue to ignore police commands to leave the area #stlverdict
— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) September 16, 2017
Property Damaged During Demonstrations. #STLVerdict pic.twitter.com/wgRlVD7zj6
— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) September 16, 2017
#Protesters burn the #American #Flag during a protest on the not guilty verdict of #JasonStockley pic.twitter.com/ePjxVm2sZH
— KMOV (@KMOV) September 16, 2017
Protester just smashed window of Subway near Euclid & Pine. Walked away south. #stlverdict
— Mike Faulk (@Mike_Faulk) September 16, 2017
Protesters shatter windows at a library on Euclid. #jasonstockley pic.twitter.com/gLJtacLe36
— KMOV (@KMOV) September 16, 2017
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Mayor @LydaKrewson's house vandalized by #protesters. #JasonStockley pic.twitter.com/mSu7jyCyYB
— KMOV (@KMOV) September 16, 2017
The destruction even led Irish rock band U2 to cancel their scheduled concert in St. Louis out of concern for risking their fans’ safety.
Despite the carnage, destruction, and injured cops, a celebrity face made an appearance during the protests. Nick Cannon showed up wearing a Colin Kaepernick jersey:
Well lookie who just walked up and joined the #Stockley protest. @NickCannon #stl #stlouis #AnthonyLamarSmith #STLVerdict pic.twitter.com/QhmRGdxxNi
— Anam Siddiq (@anamsiddiq) September 16, 2017
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