A chaotic scene unfolded in East Flatbush, Brooklyn as people gathered tonight to protest the police shooting of 16-year-old Kimani Gray. After Monday night's vigil had one group splinter off and trash the street and stores, police were on the scene in riot gear as are mounted cops and helicopters overhead. Reporters on the scene witnessed arrests, incidents of protesters being pepper-sprayed and protesters throwing objects at police cars:
The scene in East Flatbush right now. twitter.com/rdevro/status/…
— Ryan Devereaux (@rdevro) March 14, 2013
March splintered. Marchers at times yell "don't shoot" at cops
— johnknefel (@johnknefel) March 14, 2013
Rear window of a police car smashed out. twitter.com/rdevro/status/…
— Ryan Devereaux (@rdevro) March 14, 2013
Bricks are being thrown. Kids carrying cement. Cop car got smashed. Cop maced a few kids.
— Danny Gold (@DGisSERIOUS) March 14, 2013
Re earlier statements about bricks, don't want it to be misinterpreted. Less than a handful thrown.
— Danny Gold (@DGisSERIOUS) March 14, 2013
6 arrests I count. Some more kids got maced.
— Danny Gold (@DGisSERIOUS) March 14, 2013
Girls with pepper spray in their eyes are wailing. Number of police has just increased substantially. twitter.com/rdevro/status/…
— Ryan Devereaux (@rdevro) March 14, 2013
3 arrests at Church & 48twitpic.com/cb4q5n
— johnknefel (@johnknefel) March 14, 2013
Back at 55 & Church at the vigil. Calm right now. #brooklynprotest
— johnknefel (@johnknefel) March 14, 2013
At this time, the NYPD was unable to provide any information about possible arrests or injuries. However, City Councilman Jumaane Williams had some tough words:
Furious at adults from OUTSIDE the community who incite our angry young people!!! You do not help and not wanted if you bring destruction!
— Jumaane D. Williams (@JumaaneWilliams) March 14, 2013
Furious at adults from OUTSIDE the community who incite our angry young people!!! You do not help and not wanted if you bring destruction!
— Jumaane D. Williams (@JumaaneWilliams) March 14, 2013
Williams did thank those who "respected the family of Kiki's wishes, didn't march & remained at the peaceful vigil tonight."
Earlier today, it was revealed that Kimani was shot seven times by police officers. The NYPD has said two plainclothes police officers saw him acting in a suspicious manner and appearing to reach for his waistband at 11:30 p.m. on Saturday night. When they approached him, he allegedly aimed a gun at them so they fired for a combined 11 rounds.
While the police have said that witnesses heard the cops say "Freeze" and "Don't move," one witness insists that the teen was not holding a gun and had backed away from cops with his hands up.