St Louis protests: Police caught on camera firing projectiles into crowd of protestors
Protests broke out in the city following the acquittal of former police officer Jason Stockley
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Video has emerged of protesters in St Louis running in fear as they are chased after by police officers firing projectiles into the crowd. It is not clear what projectiles the police were using.
Video posted by Jon Ziegler, a digital journalist who goes by the name “Rebelutionary_Z,” shows a crowd marching through the Missouri city at night.
As the crowd approaches an intersection, a few people begin to yell in alarm. The protesters flee from the intersection, and police can be seen chasing after them.
“They’re spraying rubber bullets,” someone says.
Another voice can be heard yelling: “Get down!”
Protests broke out in St Louis on Friday, when a circuit court judge acquitted former St Louis Metropolitan Police officer Jason Stockley on murder charges in the death of Anthony Lamar Smith.
Mr Stockley shot and killed Mr Smith following a police car chase in 2011. Mr Stockley's defence team told the court he shot in self defence, after seeing Mr Smith reach for a gun. State prosecutors disputed this, alleging that the gun was a plant.
St Louis – the site of massive protests following the police shooting of another young black man, Michael Brown, in 2014 – once again descended into protests after the verdict was handed down.
Protesters marched to the home of St Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson on Friday. Most of the protestors were peaceful, but several broke windows at the residence. Protesters have also damaged the public library, thrown bricks at officers, and attempted to block a freeway ramp, police and witnesses say.
Police have used tear gas and pepper spray to disperse protesters. More than 80 people were arrested in connection with the protests on Sunday; at least 32 were arrested earlier in the weekend. Police say nine officers were injured during protests on Friday.
At a press briefing on Monday, Interim Police Chief Lawrence O’Toole promised to prosecute those who caused damage “to the fullest extent of the law”.
“We're in control. This is our city and we're going to protect it,” he said.
One person arrested in connection with the protests was 63-year-old Laura Jones, who was knocked down and walked over by police officers on Friday. The police department told The Independent that Ms Jones failed to obey police orders, and was arrested and charged with interfering.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments