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Police: 4 St. Louis Officers Hit by Gunfire During Protests

Associated Press

   St. Louis police said four officers were hit by gunfire after protests
   that started peacefully Monday became violent overnight, with
   protesters smashing windows and stealing items from businesses and
   fires burning in the downtown area.

   The police department said on Twitter early Tuesday that the officers
   were taken to an area hospital with injuries that were not believed to
   be life-threatening. It was unclear who had fired the shots.

   The chaos in St. Louis followed continued protests Monday in Missouri
   over the death of George Floyd and police treatment of African
   Americans, with gatherings also held in Kansas City and Jefferson City.
   The nationwide protests were sparked by the May 25 death of Floyd, a
   handcuffed black man who pleaded for air as a white Minneapolis police
   officer pressed his knee against Floyd's neck until he stopped
   breathing.

   Monday's protests came after peaceful daytime protests Sunday led to
   spurts of chaos overnight into Monday, with vehicles and buildings
   damaged and officers firing tear gas after being pelted with rocks,
   fireworks and Molotov cocktails.

   On Monday afternoon, several hundred people rallied peacefully outside
   the justice center in downtown St. Louis, including Mayor Lyda Krewson
   and St. Louis Public Safety Director Jimmie Edwards. Protestors later
   walked to the Gateway Arch National Park and then onto nearby
   Interstate 64.

   But later Monday, protesters gathered in front of police headquarters,
   where officers fired tear gas. Some protesters smashed windows at a
   downtown 7-11 store and stole items from inside before the building was
   set on fire. Moments later a car was set on fire and other businesses
   broken into and looted.

   On Monday afternoon, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and Police Chief
   Rick Smith kneeled with protesters gathered at the Country Club Plaza
   entertainment district and had what police spokesman Sgt. Jake Becchina
   later described as a good conversation with the crowd.

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