| Rioters, bystanders hurt Second day of violence racks Cincinnati after police shooting 04/11/2001 Associated Press CINCINNATI – Police fired bean bags, rubber bullets and tear gas at people who broke windows and looted stores Tuesday during the second day of protests over the police shooting of an unarmed black man.
Violence increased as night fell, and paramedics took about 25 people to hospitals and treated an additional 40 at the scene, police Lt. Ray Ruberg said. The injured included people hurt in the attacks and by bean bags or rubber bullets.
Groups of roving youths ran throughout the city's Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, where police reported scattered looting, fires and attacks on drivers in their cars.
At least 20 people were arrested on charges that included rioting and disorderly conduct, Lt. Ruberg said.
The shooting came when tensions were already high between police and many black residents. Officers have killed four black men since November.
Mayor Charles Luken appealed for calm during a Tuesday evening news conference inside City Hall, where police in riot gear guarded the front door. He called for a public dialogue to replace violence.
"If we can't do that, then I'm not optimistic that the future will be that much better than the past," Mr. Luken said.
Tuesday afternoon, police formed protective cordons around City Hall and police headquarters as about 50 people threw rocks and bottles at windows and a sidewalk vendor's stand was ransacked.
The confrontations came four days after Timothy Thomas, 19, was fatally shot as he ran from a police officer trying to arrest him on 14 warrants. Mr. Thomas had been wanted for misdemeanors and traffic violations, including driving without a license and failing to wear a seat belt.
The FBI opened a civil-rights investigation of the shooting Tuesday and will forward its findings to the Justice Department, said FBI spokesman Ed Boldt. He said a ruling was not expected for months. Prosecutor Michael Allen said a Hamilton County grand jury might also investigate the shooting.
Police Chief Thomas Streicher Jr. offered condolences to Mr. Thomas' family at a news conference Monday. He declined to say what prompted Officer Steve Roach to shoot. The officer is on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure after a police shooting.
Police union president Keith Fangman said he had spoken with Officer Roach and was confident the officer thought Mr. Thomas had a gun.
|
