Demonstrators, rioters and authorities in Milwaukee clashed Saturday night (August 13) amid tensions between the multiple groups after police shot and killed a 23-year-old black man in the midst of a traffic stop.

According to the Associated Press, following the stop, police engaged in a foot race and later confronted Sylville Smith before shooting him. It’s unclear as of press time whether the man threatened officers, though it’s believed that of the two people inside the car the one who died on the scene was carrying a handgun. Reports vary, however, as information continues to arrive from numerous sources.

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It’s also not clear yet the reason for the traffic stop (reports indicate the victim had a “lengthy record”), and the police involved in the incident nor the shooter have been identified. The officer who fired the shot, 24, is believed to be a six-year veteran and has been shifted to desk duty pending an investigation.

Multiple demonstrations broke out in the aftermath of the fatal shooting. Peaceful protests were initiated but some and others engaged in violent acts, including burning down a gas station and gunshots. Police and firefighters were the target in some clashes that resulted in broken car windows, according to other reports.

On social media, a divide has occurred, with users leveling blame at police and protesters.

In an emotional interview with the brother of the victim, a young man spoke to a local TV reporter and said “right now you got a city riot going on because once again the police failed to protect us like they said they was gonna do,” he said. “They failed to be here for the people like they are sworn to do. And us as a community we aren’t gonna protect ourselves. But if we don’t have any one to protect us, this is what you get, you get riots. We losing loved ones every day to the people that’s sworn in to protect us.

“You get a lot of people that’s hurt, and they can’t vent the right way. They can no longer depend on the police to protect them like they say they’re gonna do. “

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