Violent Protests Erupt in Milwaukee Following Fatal Police Shooting of Armed Suspect

The deadly shooting of an armed man by Milwaukee police resulted in a night of violent protesting and destructive acts against authorities, according to local officials.

Protesters allegedly burned several stores, fired shots and damaged police cars Saturday night on the city's north side.

Mayor Tom Barrett asked residents to bring their loved ones home so they could "restore order."

"This is a situation where we are asking every resident of this community to do everything they can to restore order," Barrett said at a news conference early Sunday, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "If you love your son, if you love your daughter, text them, call them, pull them by the ears and get 'em home."



According to police, one officer was hospitalized after a brick came through the window of a police cruiser. Authorities also shared photos of a police car which had its windows broken while another was set on fire during the riot.

Police also tweeted about about a gas station being set on fire, gunshots and rocks being thrown at officers when they tried to break up the crowds.

The turmoil began after a Milwaukee officer shot and killed an armed suspect, police said.

According to the news release, two alleged suspects in a car were pulled over on Saturday afternoon. When they allegedly fled the scene, an officer shot one of the suspects who was allegedly armed with a stolen semi-automatic handgun.

The suspect, a 23-year-old man with a lengthy arrest record, died at the scene from his injuries.

Nefataria Gordon told the Sentinel that the victim, who has not been identified, was "a nice good person."

"He was really respected," Gordon said. "That's why everyone came out. They're angry."

The officer who shot the suspect, a 24-year-old man with six years of service with the Milwaukee Police Department, is on administrative duty as the investigation is conducted.

The other suspect was also captured after the shooting.

People began demonstrating against the shooting peacefully, the Sentinel reports. However, the protests took a turn, even when a family member of the dead man asked demonstrators to leave.

"We don't want anyone else to go to jail or get hurt," she told the crowd.

At least three arrests were made, according to the Sentinel. The chaos calmed down around 2 a.m. when protesters began leaving.

"Right now, we have to have calm. There are a lot of really good people who live in this neighborhood," Barrett said during the news conference. "It’s not the Milwaukee that anyone wants to see."