State of emergency declared in riot-stricken city

State's attorney, Civil Rights Commission called to investigate St. Petersburg violence

In this story:

• State's attorney to investigate shooting
• Shooting ignites rioting
• 'All hell broke loose'

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (CNN) -- Officials declared a state of emergency and temporarily banned the sale of handguns in an effort to maintain calm one day after the shooting of a black motorist by a white police officer sparked a night of rioting. National Guardsmen were also put on alert, with 200 troops moved into the city.

Streets where buildings burned and mobs pelted police with rocks were deserted Friday following a night of rioting that began when an 18-year-old African-American was shot during a traffic stop. Police said the man had tried to run them over with his car after they stopped him.

At least 11 people were injured, including a police officer who was shot and a newspaper photographer who was beaten, as hundreds of people swarmed through the streets after the shooting Thursday. Stores were looted and thick smoke clouded the predominantly black neighborhood just south of downtown.

At least 20 people were arrested and 28 arson fires were confirmed as groups of youths ran back and forth throughout the night, throwing rocks, bricks and bottles at businesses, passing cars and officers in riot gear.

State's attorney to investigate shooting

Mayor David Fischer said the state's attorney would conduct an independent investigation into the death of the man killed in the incident and he said the U.S. Civil Rights Commission had been asked to re-evaluate the city's progress in dealing with its racial problems.

"St. Petersburg has made a lot of progress and we thought we were doing well," said Fischer, "then an incident like this happens."

Fischer, who met with community leaders Friday morning, added that "it's obvious more needs to be done" in terms of evaluating the city's race relations and police policies.

The brother of the slain motorist, Roderick Pringle, Friday went to City Hall to appeal for calm, and Police Chief Darrell Stephens said at midday that the city "remains calm."

(Chief Stephens 17 sec./187K

Stepped-up police patrols backed by deputies from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Department would attempt to maintain order, Stephens said. Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles said he had put National Guard troops on stand-by in case they are needed.

Friday morning, an uneasy calm spread over the streets. Hundreds of police, some in riot gear, were still patrolling the area.

"When the city wakes up and the people start moving about, (we) will see what other things we need to do to make sure that people can travel about the city in a safe manor," St. Stephens said at a morning news conference.

The riot began the intersection where the shooting took place shortly afterward. It quickly moved across several blocks as word of the shooting spread.

Helmeted police carrying shields cordoned off several blocks around the intersection. They fired tear gas into the crowd to disperse mobs that were looting businesses. Six police officers, including one who was shot in the shoulder, were treated at a hospital. Four journalists and one firefighter were also treated for minor wounds.

"Where the big mistake was when the police put the riot gear on," said one area businessman who didn't want to be identified. "That's when all hell broke loose."

Stephens defended his department's actions. "Any time you have an encounter between police and a member of the community, particularly when there's gunfire involved and there's loss of life, there are lots and lots of rumors," he said.

By midnight, firefighters pulled back and let some buildings burn. Among the many buildings and vehicles set ablaze were a police substation, a post office, a police cruiser and a TV news truck.

But shortly after midnight, police officers were removing barricades from the 25-square block area and only a few fires still burned.

Small groups of people continued to roam the streets, but city crews were already cleaning up the broken bottles, trash and other debris.

Meanwhile, the White House expressed immediate concern.

"We're making inquiries of local officials for an assessment of the situation," White House press secretary Mike McCurry said from New Orleans, where he was on a campaign trip with President Clinton.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

Related stories:

• Calm returns to riot-stricken St. Petersburg, Florida - October 25, 1996

Related sites:

• St. Petersburg Times

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