Police shoot dead black teen in US, killing sparks fresh unrest
Media reports cited a St. Louis County police statement saying that the shooting took place at a gas station at 11:15 pm Tuesday in the town of Berkeley.
Police said an officer opened fire on the teen who was carrying a handgun, hitting him several times and killing him.
A spokesman for St Louis County police department said an officer shot and killed a man who drew a handgun and pointed it at him as the officer approached him and another man.
The police said an investigation had begun into the incident, which occurred at 11.15pm at a Mobil petrol station, when the officer approached two male suspects.
A crowd of about 100 people gathered at the scene early on Wednesday following scuffles the night before.
Police added they can’t yet confirm the identity of the victim. However, the mother of the deceased said it was her son - Antonio Martin, 18.
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, at least three people have been arrested in the clashes.
Hundreds of protesters are in the area. YouTube videos show several people letting off fireworks at the gas station, while others are smashing the windows of a shop there.
Social media users posted photos and videos of the victim’s emotional mother bursting into tears the moment she learns her son is dead.
She added that her son was with his girlfriend at the time of the incident. The girlfriend remains at the scene, but won’t speak to reporters.
Martin attended Jennings Senior High School in St. Louis, Missouri, according to Twitter users.
Antonio’s mother later told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that her son was expelled from school, but was trying to gain employment via Jobs Corps, a US program offering free-of-charge education and vocational training to young people.
Dozens of Twitter users claim Martin was unarmed when he was shot. People gathered at the scene, demanding police explain what happened.
They are shouting “Innocent people!” and “What is that?”
“You drop four bodies, I'm giving you four seasons of protest," a woman was heard shouting at a police officer.
Some angry witnesses have managed to break through police tape and are now at the scene.
Twitter users report the body of Antonio has been blocked from view. According to bystanders, the teen was alive for about 30 minutes after being shot.
The incident occurred as US police are being widely criticized for their brutal tactics against suspects, especially African Americans. Over the past weeks tens of thousands of Americans across the country have taken part in massive marches protesting the slaying of unarmed black men by police.
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