A group of hundreds of protesters have shut down portions of the roadway in downtown St. Louis to express their anger over a police officer’s “not guilty” verdict handed down earlier today.
Protesters Shut Down Parts Of Downtown St. Louis
Police have responded to the protesters in riot gear and have used pepper spray to try and disperse the crowd.
Protesters making their voices heard peacefully on #STL streets. @SLMPD officers protecting free speech & keeping everyone safe. #stlverdict pic.twitter.com/VsjLRrFAju
— MO Public Safety (@MoPublicSafety) September 15, 2017
According to the latest report from the St. Louis Police Department, some portions of of Tucker and Washington Avenue in the downtown area have been closed due to protesters blocking the roadway.
Protesters face to face with police in downtown #STL following #JasonStockley verdict @KMOV pic.twitter.com/70wX8Uls5b
— Kristin Maiorano (@KrisMaio) September 15, 2017
Law enforcement was successful in keeping the protesters from getting onto nearby interstates.
#Police have been following #Protesters, effectively blocking them from interstates after the #JasonStockley verdict. pic.twitter.com/0puLKZXzor
— KMOV (@KMOV) September 15, 2017
Police say that protesters have thrown water bottles at officers and rocks at a bus full of officers.
#JasonStockley verdict protest at Market Street and Tucker Blvd. pic.twitter.com/gHEEaRXv3M
— Joel Currier (@joelcurrier) September 15, 2017
The protesters are marching after a judge handed down a “not guilty” verdict to a former police officer who faced first degree murder charges in the 2011 death of 24-year-old Anthony Lamar Smith, who was shot to death following a high speed police pursuit.
A number of schools and nearby businesses shut down early because of the demonstrations.
Follow the St. Louis Police Department on Twitter for the latest updates on the situation.