2016 Milwaukee riots
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![]() | This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (August 2016) |
2016 Milwaukee riot | |
---|---|
Date | August 13–14, 2016 |
Location | |
Caused by | Shooting and killing of a man by police |
Methods | Protests, rioting, arson |
Casualties | |
Injuries | 2 |
Arrested | 3+ |
On August 13, 2016, a riot began in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, sparked by the shooting of an armed man by police.[1][2]
Background and initial shooting
Milwaukee had been the location of protests against police brutality following the 2014 shooting of Dontre Hamilton, a mentally ill black man. The officer who shot and killed Hamilton was not charged, but was fired from the police force for not following procedure. In December 2014, the U.S. Department of Justice promised it would work with the Milwaukee Police Department on reforms.[3][4] Milwaukee police had also attracted controversy for two incidents involving the deaths of black suspects while in police custody, one in 2010 and the other in 2011.[4]
At about 3:30 p.m. on August 13, 2016, two 23-year-old men were pulled over by two officers for "suspicious activity" while driving through the neighborhood. Both men fled on foot. One, who had a "lengthy arrest record" and was armed with a handgun carrying 23 rounds, was later shot twice in the chest and arm by one of the officers, dying at the scene. The officer who fired the fatal shots was a three-year veteran of the force who was 24 years old and wearing a body camera at the time. The man's handgun, along with 500 additional rounds of ammunition, had been reported stolen during a March burglary in nearby Waukesha. The second man was later apprehended and put into police custody.[3][5][6][7][8] The shooting occurred during a violent weekend in Milwaukee, with five other shooting-related homicides occurring within the preceding nine hours from August 12 to August 13. Two of the crime scenes were located a few blocks away from the police shooting.[6]
Riot
Between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m., hours after the police shooting, a group of around 100 black protesters gathered near the scene of the shooting at North Sherman and Auer to hold a protest, and confronted a line of 20–30 officers. Some of the protesters used social media to encourage others to participate in the demonstration. At some point, the protest turned violent.[1][2][3][6]
Several cars, including police squad cars, were set alight and a gas station was looted and set on fire as well.[1] When additional officers dressed in riot gear arrived, gunshots were heard.[6] Firefighters were initially unable to put out the gas station fire due to reports of shots being fired, but were eventually able to extinguish the flames.[1][9] The Milwaukee Fire Department reported that bricks were thrown at one of their trucks. One officer was treated at a hospital for injuries sustained after being hit by a brick.[2][9] The protesters also attacked reporters and a photographer documenting the incident.[10] One reporter was shoved to the ground and physically assaulted.[6] At least three people were arrested.[5]
An O'Reilly Auto Parts shop, a beauty supply store, and the local branch of BMO Harris Bank were also set on fire in the area.[11][12] A MetroPCS store was among the businesses that were looted.[13] A supermarket and a liquor store were destroyed during the rioting, as well.[14]
In the early hours of August 14, Mayor Tom Barrett and other local officials urged residents at a press conference to help restore order. Barrett also urged residents to bring home any of their children who may be among the protesters.[5] Volunteers assisted police in cleaning up debris left by the riot.[3]
Investigation
An investigation into the police shooting was initiated by the state. According to Mayor Barrett, the riot was "driven" by the protesters' social media messages encouraging others to congregate in the area.[15]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "Protesters riot & burn cars after fatal officer-involved shooting in Milwaukee, WI". Russia Today. August 13, 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
- ^ a b c "Violent disturbance near N. Sherman & Auer; BP gas station set ablaze". Fox 6. August 13, 2016. Retrieved August 14, 2016.
- ^ a b c d Ehlke, Gretchen (August 14, 2016). "Volunteers clean up after violence on Milwaukee's north side". Yahoo! News. Associated Press. Retrieved August 14, 2016.
- ^ a b "Slew of Police Encounters Precedes Latest Milwaukee Shooting". ABC News. Associated Press. August 14, 2016. Retrieved August 14, 2016.
- ^ a b c Helsel, Phil (August 14, 2016). "Milwaukee Crowd Turns Violent After Police Fatally Shoot Armed Man". NBC News. Retrieved August 14, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e Mak, Aaron; Carpenter, Jacob (August 14, 2016). "Uneasy calm in Milwaukee after police shooting, protests". USA Today. Retrieved August 14, 2016.
- ^ Karimi, Faith; Sutton, Joe; Patterson, Thom; Young, Ryan (August 14, 2016). "Milwaukee reeling after deadly police shooting". CNN. Retrieved August 14, 2016.
- ^ O'Brien, Brendan (August 14, 2016). "Violent protests erupt in Milwaukee after police kill armed suspect". Reuters. Retrieved August 14, 2016.
- ^ a b "Police shooting in Milwaukee sparks violent protest". CBS News. Associated Press. August 14, 2016. Retrieved August 14, 2016.
- ^ Mak, Aaron; Carpenter, Jacob (August 13, 2016). "Violence erupts after police shooting in Milwaukee". USA Today. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
- ^ Mele, Christopher; Serviss, Lew (August 14, 2016). "Fires Burn in Milwaukee After a Fatal Police Shooting". The New York Times. Retrieved August 14, 2016.
- ^ Ehlke, Gretchen (August 14, 2016). "Milwaukee officials call for calm after unrest over shooting". Washington Post. Retrieved August 14, 2016.
- ^ Weich, Robert (August 13, 2016). "Milwaukee's Night of Unrest (Videos and Photos)". CBS News. Retrieved August 14, 2016.
- ^ Green, Christie (August 14, 2016). "Milwaukee Wakes Up to Aftermath of Disturbance". CBS News. Retrieved August 14, 2016.
- ^ "Call for calm in Milwaukee after violent protests". CBS News. Associated Press. August 14, 2016. Retrieved August 14, 2016.