Durham police used tear gas to disperse 200 people gathered in downtown Durham Thursday night to remember Jesus Huerta, a 17-year-old killed in police custody in November. Police Chief Jose Lopez said the officers “were forced” to deploy the gas after rocks and bottles were thrown at the police.

Via WRAL:

Although the assembly was billed as a peaceful event, Durham police massed in riot gear, with tear gas masks on their hips and billy clubs in hand, even before Huerta supporters arrived. By the end of the evening, several were under arrest, although police did not say how many or what their charges would be. Before the vigil turned ugly, Huerta’s friend Brandon Moreno promised Thursday’s march would not end in the vandalism that marked an earlier march. On Nov. 22, protesters broke windows at police headquarters on West Chapel Hill Street. “No violence because his family got mad about that. There is going to be no violence,” Moreno said.

WRAL – Arrests, tear gas end Durham vigil

A number of firsthand reports contradict the police account of what happened. According to eyewitnesses, police stormed mourners gathered at CCB plaza (a public space) before any objects were thrown, and began launching tear gas shortly afterwards without warning.

Here’s the clearest video we’ve found so far, recorded by WUNC reporter Laura Lee at CCB plaza:

Families attending the vigil said that police were careless in tear gassing children. When asked by a reporter about the presence of children, Chief Lopez responded: “while those rocks were in the air, those children were in more risk than [from] anything that we did last night.”

Lopez held a press conference on the incident this morning, during which he praised Durham police officers for their “restraint” and questioned participants’ peaceful intent. Lopez also told reporters that a gun shot residue test performed by the SBI found residue on gloves worn by Jesus Huerta, indicating he may have fired a gun. No residue was found on Officer Samuel Duncan’s hands.

Statement from Presente.org:

“Durham Police’s use of tear gas and smoke grenades to disperse a peaceful assembly of residents commemorating a teen’s death shows worrisome, coordinated aggression against a community searching for answers. This incident proves that the Department of Justice must heed the call by the Huerta family and over 18,000 Presente.org members demanding a federal investigation into how the Durham Police Department does business.”

WUNC – Documenting protest Thursday night in Durham

More information:

Photos from the News & Observer

News & Observer – Durham police surround Huerta protesters; gas used to disperse group

News & Observer – Durham police charge six, including 15-year-old, after Huerta march turns violent

The Herald Sun – Durham police use tear gas to disperse protesters

CNN – Vigil for teen who died in police custody turns violent

Indy Week – Durham PD Chief Lopez to address Thursday night violence

Related stories:

Durham Police Chief: Jesus Huerta died of self-inflicted gunshot wound