WATCH LIVE: Protesters Take to the Streets in St. Louis Over Ex-Cop’s Acquittal (UPDATE)
There are ongoing protests in St. Louis tonight after a white cop shot and killed a black suspect.
Former St. Louis police officer Jason Stockley, who was charged with first-degree murder, was found not guilty after he shot Anthony Lamar Smith five times following a high-speed chase back in 2011.
A gun found in Smith’s car only had Stockley’s DNA on it, prompting the prosecution to allege it was planted.
During the trial, Assistant Circuit Attorney Robert Steele said that police dashcam video showed Stockley saying he was “going to kill this (expletive), don’t you know it,” before shooting Smith five times.
Stockley could have been sentenced to up to life in prison without parole. He left the St. Louis police force in 2013.
Protests have grown violent as four cops have been assaulted by demonstrators, who earlier in the day had thrown rocks and bottles at the officers and individuals were jumping on 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
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
UPDATE (11:53PM): Bricks were thrown towards a police line, injuring an officer that was sent to the hospital.
Agitators are throwing bricks at officers at Kingshighway and Waterman. At least one officer is injured. #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
Officer is being transported to a hospital for serious injury sustained from brick thrown at him at Kingshighway & Waterman. #STLVerdict
— St. Louis, MO Police (@SLMPD) September 16, 2017
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