Police say the man who was shot Saturday was fleeing from police and had turned with a gun in hand toward the pursuing officer, who was also black. Smith and another man fled in different directions from the vehicle, which turned out to be a rental auto, and the officer chased Smith. The damage was not as extensive as the protests from the previous night.
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The development came as a sense of calm and order returned to the neighborhood Sunday morning after a night when businesses were torched, cars overturned and set ablaze and gunfire erupted following the fatal police shooting.
Peaceful demonstrations in the Sherman Park area where Smith died turned into violent protests on Saturday and Sunday nights.
The National Guard, which is under the dual control of the federal and state governments, was deployed in Ferguson, Missouri, in August 2014 after several nights of rioting over the police killing of an unarmed black man. Angry crowds pelted riot police with bottles and bricks.
Another auto was set ablaze during the fracas.
National Guard troops were on standby as a precaution.
About two dozen officers in riot gear confronted protesters who were throwing rocks and other objects at police near where Sylville Smith was killed Saturday. The frightening violence only hardens attitudes against protesters and their important goals.
Mayor Barrett encouraged state officials investigating the incident to release the footage as soon as possible, hoping to ease fear and suspicion in the community that the police account of the shooting is untrue.
Barrett said Smith had “more firepower than the officer” and his handgun – which he is said to have refused to drop – was loaded with 23 rounds. Sylville Smith bolted from the auto with a gun, leading an officer on a short foot chase before the officer shot the 23-year-old.
Smith died at the scene, and the officer who fired the fatal shots was not injured.
Last year, the state Justice Department agreed to review Milwaukee police procedures after a white officer shot Dontre Hamilton, a mentally ill black man, in a downtown park during a scuffle. We know that officer has been put on administrative duties pending an investigation. Police didn’t say who shot the man but that they were looking for suspects. Police said there were six arrests and no reports of major property damage. She said her bother did not shoot, and did not return fire. “We’ve been in conversations with the city attorney’s office in case we need to do more than that for a more widespread curfew”.
“When they see the wrong role model, this is what you get”, he said. At one point, the crowd chanted “ready for war”, followed by a a chant of “peace, peace, peace”. “Where do we go as a community from here?” he asked.
“My brother was no felon”, said one of them, Kimberly Neal, 24, as she wept. Flynn also noted there have been people in prayer circles – even a vigorous barbecue going on.
It was at least the fourth building to burn, following a BP gas station, an O’Reilly Auto Parts store and a beauty supply store.
Seven police officers were injured in a second night of violence on Sunday that stretched into the early hours of Monday.
City Alderman Khalif Rainey said the area has been a “powder keg” for potential violence throughout the summer.
Sherman Park has a large African-American population.
Rainey said Saturday’s violence was a byproduct of inequities, injustice, unemployment and lack of educational opportunities.
“Something has to be done to address these issues”, he said. “This community of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has become the worst place to live for African-Americans in the entire country”.
City officials also say some of the people protesting in recent days weren’t from Milwaukee.
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“A young man lost his life yesterday afternoon”, the mayor said.
