Tear gas fired at protesters after US teen's death: reports

Image
AFP Washington
Last Updated : Aug 14 2014 | 10:30 AM IST
Missouri police fired tear gas and smoke bombs at a crowd of protesters demonstrating against the death of an unarmed black teen by an officer, US media reported.
CNN and other media reported that police officers in riot gear marched toward the protesters near a burned out gas station yesterday where demonstrators had gathered in the town of Ferguson, a St Louis suburb.
Police separately arrested two journalists reporting on the unrest that has roiled Ferguson since aspiring college student Michael Brown, 18, died Saturday in a police shooting.
His death has triggered rioting and stirred comparisons to the February 2012 fatal shooting of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin in Florida.
Wesley Lowery, a Washington Post political reporter, and Ryan Reilly, a Huffington Post reporter, were arrested in a McDonald's after police entered the restaurant and ordered people to leave, the pair wrote on Twitter.
In a series of tweets, Lowery said they were given no explanation for their arrest other than "trespassing" and were not charged with any offenses before being released.
"I'm emotional, but need to note: Ryan and I are fine. Have seen people in Ferguson hurt by gas/rubber bullets. This wasn't that," Lowery tweeted.
Lowery also said the police officers "assaulted" him because the two reporters were not leaving the McDonald's quickly enough.
Reilly also described the pair's arrest in a series of tweets.
"SWAT just invade McDonald's where I'm working/recharging. Asked for ID when I took photo," he wrote.
Earlier, police fired several shots at a 19-year-old who pointed a handgun in their direction as they dispersed around 30 people who had gathered near where the rioting had occurred, according to the St Louis Post-Dispatch.
The young man was taken to hospital and his name has not been released.
In Los Angeles, police shot and killed a black man on Monday during what they called an "investigative stop."
"It is unknown if the suspect has any gang affiliations," the Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement.
"The suspect was transported to a local hospital and after lifesaving efforts he succumbed to his injuries."
Officials in Ferguson urged demonstrators to remain calm.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Aug 14 2014 | 10:30 AM IST

Next Story