Milwaukee Cop Who Killed Suspect Is Black

Protests continue for a 2nd night
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 15, 2016 2:22 AM CDT
Updated Aug 15, 2016 6:36 AM CDT
1 Shot in 2nd Night of Milwaukee Unrest
This photo provided by the Milwaukee County sheriff shows Sylville K. Smith.   (Milwaukee County Sheriff via AP)

One person was shot and a police officer was injured as unrest gripped Milwaukee on Sunday for a second night after the fatal shooting of a black suspect. Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn says the officer who shot 23-year-old Sylville K. Smith is also black, and that officer is now staying with relatives out of town amid concerns for his safety, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. Flynn says Smith had a lengthy criminal record and was shot after fleeing a traffic stop on foot Saturday afternoon. The chief says Smith had a gun that he didn't drop when he was ordered to and, per body camera footage, "the individual did turn toward the officer with the firearm in his hand. You can't tell when the officer discharges his firearm." Flynn says the officer "certainly appeared to be within lawful bounds."

Officials earlier said Smith was carrying a stolen handgun with 23 rounds of ammunition, Reuters reports. Before protests turned violent Sunday night, several of his sisters addressed a peaceful vigil. "My brother was no felon," said Kimberly Neal. "My brother was running for his life. He was shot in his back." Sherelle Smith, another sister, condemned the Saturday night violence that left businesses burned and four police officers injured, CNN reports. The National Guard was activated but not deployed during Sunday night's protest. Police say the person shot during Sunday's unrest is an 18-year-old man who was rushed to a hospital with serious injuries. His connection to the protests is unclear. (More Milwaukee stories.)

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