Calm returns to riot-stricken St. Petersburg, Florida

Police wary of more rioting

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (CNN) -- Streets where buildings burned and mobs pelted police with rocks were deserted early Friday following a night of rioting that began when a white police officer shot an African-American teen-ager to death during a traffic stop. Police said the 18-year-old had tried to run them over in 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. (24 sec./833K QuickTime movie)

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 officers in riot gear, businesses and passing cars.

"They were tossing everything at us but the kitchen sink," Sgt. Denny Simmons said.

By early 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. Petersburg Police Chief Darrell Stephens said at a morning news conference. (15 sec./179K AIFF or WAV sound)

Stephens said an increased number of police officers would be called to duty. Mayor David Fischer added that community leaders and local groups, including the NAACP, were to meet Friday to discuss ways to keep the city calm. (17 sec./186K AIFF or WAV sound)

Shooting ignites rioting

Police said the trouble erupted after two officers, a white male and white female, stopped a car with two people inside for speeding.

Officer Jim Knight opened fire, striking the driver, after the car lurched forward, apparently trying to run the officer over, police said. But some witnesses said the driver had done nothing to prompt the shooting.

"The boy wasn't going fast enough to run them over. He wasn't even going 2 mph," Lisa Craft told the St. Petersburg Times. She added that Knight fired five times.

The man, identified as Tyron Lewis, died before reaching Bayfront Medical Center, a hospital spokesman said.

Police chief Stephens said it is "inappropriate" to speculate "too much" on what happened until police have interviewed the officers and witnesses at the scene. Mayor Fischer said the state attorney's office would investigate.

It was the sixth police shooting of the year in St. Petersburg, coming just one week after another shooting in the same area.

'All hell broke loose'

The riot began shortly afterward at the intersection where the shooting took place. 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 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.

"The big mistake was when the police put the riot gear on," said one area businessman who spoke on condition of anonymity. "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, police cruiser and 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.

"Police, some in riot gear, remain on the streets to keep the situation under control. It is getting quieter all the time," police spokeswoman Lilla Davis said.

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.

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