The suburb area of St. Louis was transformed into a "huge mess," as the town's mayor described the series of looting and vandalism that sprung from a protest against the recent teen shooting.
The rally, initially organized as a peaceful protest for the shooting of an unarmed black teenager by a police officer in St. Louis, went out of control as people began looting and vandalizing several establishments and vehicles.
Michael Brown is an 18 year old black American who died after being shot in the suburb of Ferguson, a densely black populated area, last Sunday afternoon. Brown was shot after an alleged gun struggle with a police officer inside the police car.
In a report from the local media, one eye witness said that prior to being shot Brown had in fact surrendered and raised his arms to indicate that he was not armed.
"He just graduated and was on his way to college" said Lesley McSpadden, Brown's mother, in a news conference on Monday. "Now we can't even celebrate," she added.
More than 100 protesters were seen gathering outside the police station shouting, "Hands up, don't shoot," with their hands up, symbolizing the way in which Brown had reportedly had his hands up at the incident. The protestors were dispersed and driven out after being fired at with tear gas.
Brian Schellman, spokesman of the Louis Country Police Department, meanwhile, said that demonstrators were throwing bottles and rocks at the police. This was the very reason why "tear gas has been deployed," Schellman added.
As of Tuesday morning, it was reported that the police have arrested as estimate of 50 people since the first day of the protest.
Last Sunday night, local media reported the rioters vandalizing car and shop windows. A group of demonstrators also set one building on fire and looted several shops.
McSpadden, while still mourning over the tragic loss of her son, meanwhile begged the public to not resort to any violent means of protest.
