Milwaukee Erupts In Violent Protest After Fatal Police Shooting

Milwaukee erupted in violent protest Saturday night after city police shot and killed an armed 23-year-old man earlier that day, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports.

After a lengthy standoff between 20-30 police officers equipped in riot gear and a crowd of approximately 200, a gas station was set and cop cars were smashed. Someone in the crowd reportedly shot at officers. Later, several local businesses were set ablaze, including a BMO Harris Bank branch, a beauty supply company and a O'Reilly Auto Parts store.

The shooting occurred on Saturday afternoon at around 3:30 local time. A 24-year-old police officer with six years of experience pursued a man on foot after the suspect fled from a traffic stop. Police claim the suspect had a "lengthy arrest record" and was armed with a semiautomatic handgun. When he did not comply with the officer's request to drop his weapon, the officer opened fire several times. According to Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, the officer who fired the shots was wearing a body camera.