4 St. Louis officers shot, ex-captain killed during unrest
Fireworks thrown by protesters explode outside the Ferguson police department on Sunday, May 31, 2020, as police get set to advance onto S. Florissant Road to clear the crowd from which they were thrown. New video of alleged excessive force in Minneapolis sparked nationwide demonstrations. (Christian Gooden/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
Fireworks go off in front of police, who with protesters in front of police headquarters in St. Louis on Monday, June 1, 2020. The small group of protesters was originally part of a much larger group demonstrating earlier in the afternoon against the death of George Floyd. (Colter Peterson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
Kenneth Snelson, left, cleans up broken glass as Dan Wilding, right, drags a trash can full of glass to a dumpster, Tuesday, June 2, 2020, in St. Louis. On Monday afternoon, peaceful protesters gathered to speak out against the death of George Floyd who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25 before the night turned violent with windows smashed and fires set. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Police investigate the scene of a shooting at Lee’s Pawn & Jewelry in St. Louis, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. A 77-year-old retired St. Louis police officer who served 38 years on the force was shot and killed by looters at the pawn shop early Tuesday, police said. David Dorn was found dead on the sidewalk in front of Lee’s Pawn & Jewelry, which had been ransacked after peaceful protests over the death of George Floyd turned violent overnight. (David Carson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
Johnnie Williams chants with the crowd as they march off the Gateway Arch grounds during an event organized by ExpectUS, in Downtown St. Louis on Monday, June 1, 2020. Protesters were demonstrating against the death of George Floyd, who died May 25 after being detained by Minnesota police. (Colter Peterson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
Protesters hold signs outside the City Justice Center, Monday, June 1, 2020, in St. Louis. Protesters gathered to speak out against the death of George Floyd who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
O’Fallon (Mo.) police Chief Tim Clothier, center, walks arm-in-arm with Ryan Staples, left, and Jalen Thompson, right, at the front of a march for George Floyd in O"Fallon on Monday, June 1, 2020. Thompson and some friends helped organize the march with the help of the police. Clothier said he took part in the demonstration to show solidarity with the marchers and he condemned the officer’s actions in Minneapolis as an “embarrassment to our profession.” Floyd died May 25 after being detained by police in Minneapolis. (David Carson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
Protesters chant as they march in the street way from the City Justice Center Monday, June 1, 2020, in St. Louis. Protesters gathered to speak out against the death of George Floyd who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
A person about to emerge from a store comes face-to-face with a St. Louis police officer and his K9 at a Fresh Image store Monday night, June 1, 2020, in St. Louis. As officers moved in on the looted building, those inside were allowed to leave without being arrested. (Robert Cohen/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
A large group of protesters chant in the street outside the City Justice Center as a United States flag blows in the breeze Monday, June 1, 2020, in St. Louis. Protesters gathered to speak out against the death of George Floyd who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Diane Davis wipes away tears after bringing flowers Tuesday, June 2, 2020, to a memorial for David Dorn, a retired captain with the St. Louis Police Department, who was killed early Tuesday while working security for a pawn shop in St. Louis. Protests that began peacefully over the death of George Floyd turned violent in the St. Louis area, where four police officers were shot and wounded and a retired St. Louis police captain was killed by looters at a pawn shop, actions that the governor blamed on “criminals” and “thugs.” (Colter Peterson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
A member of the St. Louis Fire Department removes a hose outside a vandalized and burned convenience store Tuesday, June 2, 2020, in St. Louis. On Monday night people were seen removing items from the store before the building went up in flames and after a large peaceful protest against the death of George Floyd who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25 had ended. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis firefighters are protected by police officers as they put out a fire at at looted 7-Eleven convenience store Monday, June 1, 2020, in St. Louis. (Robert Cohen/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
Fireworks thrown by protesters explode outside the Ferguson police department on Sunday, May 31, 2020, as police get set to advance onto S. Florissant Road to clear the crowd from which they were thrown. New video of alleged excessive force in Minneapolis sparked nationwide demonstrations. (Christian Gooden/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
Fireworks thrown by protesters explode outside the Ferguson police department on Sunday, May 31, 2020, as police get set to advance onto S. Florissant Road to clear the crowd from which they were thrown. New video of alleged excessive force in Minneapolis sparked nationwide demonstrations. (Christian Gooden/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
Fireworks go off in front of police, who with protesters in front of police headquarters in St. Louis on Monday, June 1, 2020. The small group of protesters was originally part of a much larger group demonstrating earlier in the afternoon against the death of George Floyd. (Colter Peterson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
Fireworks go off in front of police, who with protesters in front of police headquarters in St. Louis on Monday, June 1, 2020. The small group of protesters was originally part of a much larger group demonstrating earlier in the afternoon against the death of George Floyd. (Colter Peterson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
Kenneth Snelson, left, cleans up broken glass as Dan Wilding, right, drags a trash can full of glass to a dumpster, Tuesday, June 2, 2020, in St. Louis. On Monday afternoon, peaceful protesters gathered to speak out against the death of George Floyd who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25 before the night turned violent with windows smashed and fires set. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Kenneth Snelson, left, cleans up broken glass as Dan Wilding, right, drags a trash can full of glass to a dumpster, Tuesday, June 2, 2020, in St. Louis. On Monday afternoon, peaceful protesters gathered to speak out against the death of George Floyd who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25 before the night turned violent with windows smashed and fires set. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Police investigate the scene of a shooting at Lee’s Pawn & Jewelry in St. Louis, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. A 77-year-old retired St. Louis police officer who served 38 years on the force was shot and killed by looters at the pawn shop early Tuesday, police said. David Dorn was found dead on the sidewalk in front of Lee’s Pawn & Jewelry, which had been ransacked after peaceful protests over the death of George Floyd turned violent overnight. (David Carson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
Police investigate the scene of a shooting at Lee’s Pawn & Jewelry in St. Louis, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. A 77-year-old retired St. Louis police officer who served 38 years on the force was shot and killed by looters at the pawn shop early Tuesday, police said. David Dorn was found dead on the sidewalk in front of Lee’s Pawn & Jewelry, which had been ransacked after peaceful protests over the death of George Floyd turned violent overnight. (David Carson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
Johnnie Williams chants with the crowd as they march off the Gateway Arch grounds during an event organized by ExpectUS, in Downtown St. Louis on Monday, June 1, 2020. Protesters were demonstrating against the death of George Floyd, who died May 25 after being detained by Minnesota police. (Colter Peterson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
Johnnie Williams chants with the crowd as they march off the Gateway Arch grounds during an event organized by ExpectUS, in Downtown St. Louis on Monday, June 1, 2020. Protesters were demonstrating against the death of George Floyd, who died May 25 after being detained by Minnesota police. (Colter Peterson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
Protesters hold signs outside the City Justice Center, Monday, June 1, 2020, in St. Louis. Protesters gathered to speak out against the death of George Floyd who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Protesters hold signs outside the City Justice Center, Monday, June 1, 2020, in St. Louis. Protesters gathered to speak out against the death of George Floyd who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
O’Fallon (Mo.) police Chief Tim Clothier, center, walks arm-in-arm with Ryan Staples, left, and Jalen Thompson, right, at the front of a march for George Floyd in O"Fallon on Monday, June 1, 2020. Thompson and some friends helped organize the march with the help of the police. Clothier said he took part in the demonstration to show solidarity with the marchers and he condemned the officer’s actions in Minneapolis as an “embarrassment to our profession.” Floyd died May 25 after being detained by police in Minneapolis. (David Carson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
O’Fallon (Mo.) police Chief Tim Clothier, center, walks arm-in-arm with Ryan Staples, left, and Jalen Thompson, right, at the front of a march for George Floyd in O"Fallon on Monday, June 1, 2020. Thompson and some friends helped organize the march with the help of the police. Clothier said he took part in the demonstration to show solidarity with the marchers and he condemned the officer’s actions in Minneapolis as an “embarrassment to our profession.” Floyd died May 25 after being detained by police in Minneapolis. (David Carson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
Protesters chant as they march in the street way from the City Justice Center Monday, June 1, 2020, in St. Louis. Protesters gathered to speak out against the death of George Floyd who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Protesters chant as they march in the street way from the City Justice Center Monday, June 1, 2020, in St. Louis. Protesters gathered to speak out against the death of George Floyd who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
A person about to emerge from a store comes face-to-face with a St. Louis police officer and his K9 at a Fresh Image store Monday night, June 1, 2020, in St. Louis. As officers moved in on the looted building, those inside were allowed to leave without being arrested. (Robert Cohen/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
A person about to emerge from a store comes face-to-face with a St. Louis police officer and his K9 at a Fresh Image store Monday night, June 1, 2020, in St. Louis. As officers moved in on the looted building, those inside were allowed to leave without being arrested. (Robert Cohen/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
A large group of protesters chant in the street outside the City Justice Center as a United States flag blows in the breeze Monday, June 1, 2020, in St. Louis. Protesters gathered to speak out against the death of George Floyd who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
A large group of protesters chant in the street outside the City Justice Center as a United States flag blows in the breeze Monday, June 1, 2020, in St. Louis. Protesters gathered to speak out against the death of George Floyd who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Diane Davis wipes away tears after bringing flowers Tuesday, June 2, 2020, to a memorial for David Dorn, a retired captain with the St. Louis Police Department, who was killed early Tuesday while working security for a pawn shop in St. Louis. Protests that began peacefully over the death of George Floyd turned violent in the St. Louis area, where four police officers were shot and wounded and a retired St. Louis police captain was killed by looters at a pawn shop, actions that the governor blamed on “criminals” and “thugs.” (Colter Peterson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
Diane Davis wipes away tears after bringing flowers Tuesday, June 2, 2020, to a memorial for David Dorn, a retired captain with the St. Louis Police Department, who was killed early Tuesday while working security for a pawn shop in St. Louis. Protests that began peacefully over the death of George Floyd turned violent in the St. Louis area, where four police officers were shot and wounded and a retired St. Louis police captain was killed by looters at a pawn shop, actions that the governor blamed on “criminals” and “thugs.” (Colter Peterson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
A member of the St. Louis Fire Department removes a hose outside a vandalized and burned convenience store Tuesday, June 2, 2020, in St. Louis. On Monday night people were seen removing items from the store before the building went up in flames and after a large peaceful protest against the death of George Floyd who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25 had ended. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
A member of the St. Louis Fire Department removes a hose outside a vandalized and burned convenience store Tuesday, June 2, 2020, in St. Louis. On Monday night people were seen removing items from the store before the building went up in flames and after a large peaceful protest against the death of George Floyd who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25 had ended. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis firefighters are protected by police officers as they put out a fire at at looted 7-Eleven convenience store Monday, June 1, 2020, in St. Louis. (Robert Cohen/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
St. Louis firefighters are protected by police officers as they put out a fire at at looted 7-Eleven convenience store Monday, June 1, 2020, in St. Louis. (Robert Cohen/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Protests that began peacefully over the death of George Floyd turned violent in the St. Louis area, where four police officers were shot and wounded and a retired St. Louis police captain was killed by looters at a pawn shop, actions that the governor blamed on “criminals” and “thugs.”
St. Louis police on Tuesday said 77-year-old David Dorn, who retired in 2007 after 38 years with the department, was fatally shot during a break-in at a pawn shop.
Several thousand people joined the demonstrations in St. Louis over Floyd’s death and police treatment of African Americans on Monday.
But that night and into Tuesday morning, a downtown convenience store was burned, windows were smashed, more than 60 businesses were burglarized and officers were pelted with rocks and fireworks. The burglarized businesses include 17 cellphone stores, nine beauty supply stores, eight cash or pawn shops and three Foot Lockers, according to a preliminary list from police. There also were seven property-damage reports, to ATMs, car dealerships, even a church, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Republican Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said he was deploying more than 1,000 National Guard troops in response to the crimes and attacks in St. Louis that, he said, had nothing to do with protesting.
“No they’re not protesters,” said Parson, a Republican and former sheriff. “They’re criminals and they’re thugs and they need to be held accountable, and hopefully they’ll get hunted down.”
Meanwhile, St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson announced a 9 p.m. curfew.
“What started as a very nonviolent and peaceful demonstration and protest ended in looting, shooting, burning and attacks on law enforcement,” she said. “This cannot be and will not be tolerated.”
Just after midnight, with only a couple of hundred people still on the streets, someone opened fire on officers standing in line, Police Chief John Hayden said. Two officers were struck in the leg, one was hit in the foot and one was hit in the arm. All four are expected to recover.
Hayden choked back tears as he expressed thanks they weren’t more seriously hurt.
“Some coward fired shots at officers and now we have four in the hospital,” said Hayden. “But thankfully — thank God — they’re alive. They’re alive! Can we make some sense out of this? Can we make some sense out of this? That’s all I’m trying to say.”
No one has been arrested in that shooting.
Bishop Elijah Hankerson, president of the St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition, cautioned against lumping together the thousands of peaceful protesters with the “criminal element hiding behind” them.
“To loot buildings, to burn buildings down, and to take an innocent life like was taken last night, does not do anything for the cause of justice,” Hankerson said. “If anything, it distracts away from it.”
At about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, St. Louis officers in a marked police car who were searching for people stealing from businesses were shot at by men inside a car. Police chased the car into St. Louis County, where county officers joined the chase.
At a dead-end street in Jennings, just north of St. Louis, three suspects got out and ran and one of the men shot at the officers, St. Louis County Police spokesman Benjamin Granda said. One officer returned fire and struck the 21-year-old suspect, who is hospitalized with what police called life-threatening injuries. A 25-year-old man was taken into custody and the third suspect got away.
Granda said two guns were recovered at the scene.
The 39-year-old officer involved in the shooting is a five-year veteran of the force. No officers were injured.
In Kansas City on Tuesday, several hundred protesters gathered again near the upscale Country Club Plaza shopping and entertainment district in Kansas City and then began to march. Sgt. Jacob Becchina, a Kansas City police spokesman, said four or five arrests were made after some people remained in the road, The Kansas City Star reports.
Earlier in the day, Mayor Quentin Lucas and Police Chief Rick Smith said officials were trying to reduce tension between protesters and police after mostly peaceful protests devolved into violence during the past three nights. Lucas said he would not order a curfew for Tuesday night and that police would exercise restraint.
“We have reached the point in our city and our country where de-escalation needs to be our guide,” Lucas said.
Smith said police and city officials are constantly reevaluating tactics to find a balance between allowing people to freely protest and maintaining the safety of the public and law enforcement officers.
Protesters nationwide are decrying the May 25 death of Floyd, a handcuffed black man. The officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for several minutes even after he stopped moving and pleading for air.
Parson said he understands the anger of Floyd’s death, but that shootings and destroying businesses won’t be tolerated.
“I’m not going to put up with total chaos in this state,” Parson said. “We’re better than that.”
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Associated Press reporters Sara Burnett in Chicago and Margery Beck in Omaha, Nebraska, contributed to this report.