iStock/Thinkstock(ST. LOUIS, Mo.) — Protesters in St. Louis Friday night blocked highways, damaged public and private property, broke windows, threw rocks at the mayor’s house and threw bricks at police officers — who responded by dispersing tear gas — after a white former police officer earlier in the day was acquitted in the 2011 fatal shooting of a black man.
Thirteen people were arrested, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department said. Eight officers were injured, two of whom was transported to a hospital with injuries sustained after being hit by a brick. Some officers were wearing protective gear due to items being thrown at them.
A total of 8 officers have sustained injuries throughout the day. #STLVerdict
— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) September 16, 2017
St. Louis Circuit Judge Timothy Wilson found 36-year-old Jason Stockley not guilty of first-degree murder and armed criminal action. On Dec. 20, 2011, the then-police officer shot 24-year-old Lamar Smith five times after a high-speed chase and crash.
Hundreds of protesters took to the streets to protest the verdict, ABC St. Louis affiliate KDNL reported. The Metropolitan Police Department for the city of St. Louis wrote on Twitter this evening that the protests were “no longer considered peaceful” and instructed citizens to avoid the area.
A total of 13 people have been arrested thus far, police said, and four officers were assaulted, including one officer who was treated for a hand injury. Protesters have also shut down part of a highway.
Video from the protests showed demonstrators marching while chanting phrases including “no justice, no peace” and “if you kill our kids, we’ll kill your economy.”
Damone Smith, a 52-year-old electrician who was among the motorists re-routed away from the area, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he believed the verdict to be “disgusting.”
“I’m proud of these people protesting,” Smith, who is black, told the Post-Dispatch. “If you look like me, then you feel like there is no other way to express yourself in this kind of verdict. Time and time again, African-American men are killed by police, and nobody is held accountable.”
Some officers were wearing protective gear due to items being thrown at them, police said. Mace was deployed on the crowd after one officer was struck with a water bottle, police said.
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
Officials also tweeted a video of protesters stomping on the hood of a police car.
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
Some demonstrators were seen openly carrying rifles on the streets, but there have been no reports of weapons being fired.
The protests have been “for the most part” nonviolent, police said.
“There have been some tense moments where agitators became destructive,” they said.
Several companies — including Wells Fargo, Stifel and Nestle Purina Petcare — sent thousands of employees home as protests grew Friday morning, the Post-Dispatch reported.
Stockley told the Post-Dispatch on Friday that he “can feel for” and “understand” what Smith’s family is going through. “I know everyone wants someone to blame, but I’m just not the guy,” Stockley told the local newspaper.
Stockley’s acquittal also elicited outrage from several local officials, condemning the anxiously awaited bench verdict.
“This not-guilty verdict of a police officer who violently killed a citizen is another slap in the face to the black community in St. Louis,” Missouri state Rep. Michael Butler said in a statement. “And a shot in the heart to the family of the victim,” he said of Smith.
“This system and all the politicians calling for peace are ignoring the pain this verdict causes our communities,” Butler added. “We will be nonviolent but we will not settle on peace. No justice. No peace.”
St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson offered a more measured response, though equally emotional.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Anthony Lamar Smith, our police, judge, prosecutor, our citizens who find no comfort or justice, and everyone involved in this difficult case,” she said in a statement.
“I am appalled at what happened to Anthony Lamar Smith. I am sobered by this outcome. Frustration, anger, hurt, pain, hope and love all intermingle.”
Stockley and his partner at the time, Brian Bianchi, were trying to apprehend Smith for a suspected drug deal at a Church’s Chicken restaurant, according to court documents.
Stockley was facing up to life in prison without parole had he been convicted of both charges.
Crowds of people gathered today near the courthouse in downtown St. Louis to protest the ruling. Police blocked streets nearby so demonstrators could march.
Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens, anticipating protests in response to the controversial ruling, released a statement saying he understood the verdict is painful for many St. Louisans.
“We know this verdict causes pain for many people,” Greitens said. “I’m committed to protecting everyone’s constitutional right to protest peacefully, while also protecting people’s lives, homes and communities. For anyone who protests, please do so peacefully.”
Stockley’s defense attorneys argued that the then-officer acted “reasonably” in self-defense in killing a drug suspect he believed was reaching for a hidden gun.
Prosecutors alleged that Stockley planted a .38-caliber revolver in Smith’s Buick after he shot him.
In his verdict, Wilson wrote that the court “is simply not firmly convinced of [Stockley’s] guilt.”
And because prosecutors “failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that [Stockley’s] use of deadly force was not justified in self-defense,” Wilson wrote that he could not address lesser charges of homicide, including involuntary manslaughter.
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