"The one thing that really concerns all of us is sporadic gunfire," said police spokesman Bill Doniel.
One person was arrested after police investigated reports of lootings at the Maximo Shopping Center at 34th Street and 42nd Avenue S, where armed shopkeepers protected the property. A car was set on fire near 18th Avenue S and 34th Street, and a large group of people with rocks gathered nearby.Police also reported many burglaries and robberies in the area.
Crowds throw rocks, bottlesSt. Petersburg police spend much of Wednesday night chasing reports of scattered violence and gunshots in the streets.By JAMIE THOMPSON and LEANORA MINAIPublished May 13, 2004-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Image removed from quote.)[Times photo: Willie J. Allen Jr.] Firefighters extinguish a car fire guarded by police on 18th Avenue S between 28th Street S and 29th Street S after sporadic violence broke out Wednesday night. The disturbance extended in pockets along 34th Street between 15th and 42nd avenues S. ST. PETERSBURG - Dozens of police officers in riot gear converged on Midtown and parts of Childs Park late Wednesday to quell a disturbance in which motorists were pelted with rocks and bottles, a car was set on fire and sporadic gunfire was reported.Five or six people were injured, and four or five people were arrested, police said.Police blocked the intersection of 34th Street and 15th Avenue S just after 10 p.m. One man reportedly was beaten by a crowd, but the motivation for the violence was unclear."The one thing that really concerns all of us is sporadic gunfire," said police spokesman Bill Doniel.Police were first called about 9:30 p.m. to 18th Avenue S regarding a crowd of 50 to 100 people carrying signs, shouting and marching toward 34th Street.The International People's Democratic Uhuru Movement in St. Petersburg, an activist group known for its antipolice platform, was demonstrating against the May 2 fatal shooting of Marquell McCullough by two Pinellas deputies.They compared it with the 1996 police shooting of TyRon Lewis, which sparked two nights of civil disturbances.A trial is under way in a lawsuit Lewis' mother filed against the city in the death of her son.An Uhuru spokesman called the violence Wednesday and into the early hours of today a "rebellion" and blamed Mayor Rick Baker for not settling the Lewis lawsuit before trial."The people are angry and outraged," said Chimurenga Waller, an Uhuru leader. "The mayor incited this rebellion."Baker could not be reached for comment.Chris Kelly, 37, of St. Petersburg said he was "attacked by a mob" about 9:30 p.m. along 18th Avenue S.He said a crowd pelted his truck with bottles and shook the vehicle.The disturbance appeared to extend in pockets in an area bounded by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street S, 34th Street S, 18th Avenue South and 42nd Avenue S. Numerous cars were damaged by rocks and bottles. Two men pulled into a gas station along 34th Street S near 22nd Avenue S with a shattered windshield. They appeared dazed and were too upset to talk.One person was arrested after police investigated reports of lootings at the Maximo Shopping Center at 34th Street and 42nd Avenue S, where armed shopkeepers protected the property. A car was set on fire near 18th Avenue S and 34th Street, and a large group of people with rocks gathered nearby.Police also reported many burglaries and robberies in the area.Police Chief Chuck Harmon joined police at a temporary command post in the parking lot of a Quikie Food Store at 15th Avenue S and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street, where about 40 police cars were stationed. About 100 St. Petersburg officers were dispatched to the disturbances.
Originally posted by ravells Make no mistake. I know exactly who is responsible for this.Ravs
