Protests break out in DC following fatal police shooting of a Black ‘violence interrupter’

Peaceful protests over the fatal police shooting of a Black “violence interrupter” in Washington, DC, turned violent Tuesday evening when protesters threw bottles and rocks at police officers, leading to arrests, authorities said.

Peaceful protests over the fatal police shooting of a Black “violence interrupter” in Washington, DC, turned violent Tuesday evening when protesters threw bottles and rocks at police officers, leading to arrests, authorities said. Crowds had gathered outside the Metropolitan Police Department 7th District station in southeast DC, calling for justice for Justin Robinson, a 26-year-old activist against gun violence killed by police early morning on September 1 at a McDonald’s drive-thru. The incident was captured on two body-camera videos, which were released Monday evening. “The Metropolitan Police Department’s model use of force and training emphasizes de-escalation, proportionality, and reasonableness,” Robinson family attorney Brandon Burrell told CNN Wednesday. “None of which was exhibited by MPD on the day they brutally killed Justin Robinson.” The two officers involved, Vasco Mateus, who has been with the department for four years, and Bryan Gilchrist, for 2.5 years, have been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation, police said. CNN has contacted the police union representing officers with the Metropolitan Police Department but did not immediately receive a response. “My first reaction is anytime there’s a loss of life, it’s a tragic thing for our community whether it’s via an officer-involved shooting, whether it’s one of our officers who loses his or her life, or whether it’s a community member that loses his or her life, not necessarily in this situation, but in any situation, and I’m always bothered and disturbed by it,” MPD Chief Pamela A. Smith said at a news conference Monday.