Over 80 Protesters Arrested During Weekend Of Upheaval in St. Louis Following Officer Acquittal

(Photo: Reuters/Lawrence Bryant)

After a former St. Louis police officer’s acquittal last week in the 2011 death of Anthony Lamar Smith, peaceful protesters took to the streets which, by the weekend's end, resulted in the arrests of more than 80 people, reports The Associated Press.

Hundreds of police in riot gear made the arrests late to overnight Sunday (Sept 17th) and seized weapons amid reports of property damage and vandalism following another day of peaceful protests.

On Sunday, more than 1,000 people gathered at police headquarters then marched without trouble through downtown St. Louis, the posh Central West End, and the trendy Delmar Loop area of nearby University City. Protesters also marched through two shopping malls in a wealthy area of St. Louis County.

By dusk, most of the protestors went home, but about 100 remained and grew agitated. According to reports, they knocked over planters, broke windows at a few shops and hotels, and scattered plastic chairs at an outdoor venue in the downtown area. 

Demonstrators participate in a “die-in” protest outside the St. Louis Police Department headquarters (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

In a press conference early Monday (Sept. 18), Interim Police Chief Lawrence O’Toole commented on the arrests, saying, “I’m proud to tell you the city of St. Louis is safe, and the police owned tonight.” 

On Friday (Sept. 15), a judge ruled that former officer Jason Stockley, 36, was not guilty of Smith's death. Stockley shot Smith after high-speed chase as officers tried to arrest Smith and his partner in a suspected drug deal. The ex-cop, who has since moved to Houston, testified that he feared for his life when he allegedly saw Smith holding a silver revolver. 

However, prosecutors said Stockley planted a gun in Smith’s car after the shooting. After analyses, tests show the officer's DNA was on the weapon, but Smith’s wasn’t. Dashcam video from Stockley’s cruiser recorded him saying he was “going to kill this (expletive)" before shooting Smith five times.

Another peaceful demonstration is expected today.