
Protests in St Louis have turned violent for the second night in a row following Friday's acquittal of white cop Jason Stockley, who was accused of murdering black drug dealer Anthony Smith in 2011 on Friday after years of anticipation.

Friday night's upheaval saw 33 people arrested and at least ten officers injured - including one who had his jaw broken and another who dislocated his shoulder.

On Saturday, another 300 marched at West County Center Mall to carry on their demonstration for a second night; that event ended peacefully, but around 11pm demonstrators began to clash with police and smash storefronts.

Multiple people were seen being hauled off by police, and one man was seen with his face drenched in pepper spray.

'Almost every storefront in the Loop is destroyed,' tweeted KDSK reporter Jacob Long as the violence got out of hand.

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St Louis had undergone a successful peaceful protest on Saturday that ended at 9pm. At 10pm a new group gathered in the University City area and got into confrontations with police; this photo was taken just before violence broke out

At around 11pm tension turned to violence as protesters threw rocks at police, kicked trash cans, and smashed windows. They were furious that Jason Stockley, a white cop, was acquitted on Friday of shooting a black man, Anthony Lamar Smith, in 2011

Police arrest a man as they try to clear the crowd. A protester had been seen throwing red paint - seen here on this cop's riot shield - onto police as tensions spilled over. At least six people were arrested

A man is treated after being pepper sprayed during the second night of violence in the city. The University City area has historically been the dividing line between black and white St Louis

Protesters throw cans around in the street in St Louis on Saturday night. Protesters were seen throwing rocks at police as tension spilled over into outright violence

A woman walks past a broken window as police try to clear a violent crowd. Local news reported that few of the protesters present during the violence had been at an earlier, 300-person march through West County Mall

Despite public outcry over the shooting, Stockley was acquitted of first degree murder yesterday; the decision sparked uproar in the Missouri town.

In response to the decision, protesters burned flags outside the mayor's house on Saturday afternoon, and 300 people marched on West County Mall, leading to Macy's closing its doors for business.

But it wasn't until Saturday night that things became dangerous.

At around 9pm, the organizers of the day-long protest, which had included local celebrities such as former America's Got Talent host Nick Cannon, announced that the demonstration had ended successfully. No people had been arrested, they said, and the crowd dispersed peacefully, according to KDSK.

But at around 10pm a second crowd formed in University City, at the corner of Delmar Boulevard and Leland Avenue, and tensions quickly grew.

Around an hour later, spilled over into violence as protesters threw rocks, chunks of concrete and red paint at police, and began throwing trash cans and chairs through shop windows.

One protester had attacked a police SUV with a hammer, St Louis Today reported; several of his fellow protesters were seen being arrested by the 200-strong collection of cops in riot gear who stepped in to break up the crowd.

'It's not just glass,' Long reported of the destruction. 'We saw innocent people's and business owners' livelihoods attacked unnecessarily in an instant.'

RL Nave, a local news editor, tweeted: 'For those unaware, Delmar has long been STL's racial dividing line b/n the black North Side and white South Side. The symbolism is chilling.'

However, he and several others at the scene stressed that the damage was not caused by the same protesters who had protested earlier in the day, but by violent newcomers.

On Friday, 33 people were arrested in St Louis; in Saturday's second night of violence (pictured) more people were seen being dragged away by police

A chair is seen next to a shattered Starbucks window in University City, St Louis. Several people were seen being pushed to the ground and arrested by police

A woman looks into a broken window in a store in St Louis. Earlier, protesters had marched peacefully through West County Mall to protest Stockley's acquitta

Police walk through University City after breaking up and clearing out the violent crowd. The protesters had dispersed by around 11:30pm, leaving shop-owners to clear up

Local man Scott McRoberts helps clean up broken glass after a violent crowd broke windows on many businesses in University City

A volunteer scoops up thousands of shards of broken glass in the wake of the shocking violence. One of the organizers of the day's peaceful protest denounced the violence, saying anyone not prepared to protest peacefully shouldn't 'come out at all'

Some noted that the businesses being damaged - Long counted at least 24 in total - were likely black-owned.

'A little more context,' tweeted Trust but Verify reporter Staci D Kramer, '#UCity is one of the most integrated municipalities + the Loop has one of the most diverse collection of businesses.'

Pastor Doug Hollis, one of the organizers of the peaceful daytime protest told St Louis Today that anyone who wanted to act out violently should stay at home.

'I'm out here with the protesters. We dispersed earlier tonight, and what we want to say to the community is, we're doing peaceful protests.

'We don't want ya'll coming out here, turning up, busting out windows - if you're not coming to [peacefully] protest, please don't come out here...

'If you're coming out here for anything besides peaceful protest, we ask that you stay where you at. This is a peaceful situation.

'We know what happened, we know what the verdict was, but we're not trying to break in nobody's buildings, we're not trying to bust windows, we're not trying to tear up folks' cars, we're not trying to do all that.

'We're trying to have a peaceful protest. that's all we want is peace. If you can't come out peacefully, don't come out at all.'

By 12:30am Sunday, the violent protesters had been arrested or dispersed, and locals gathered to sweep up glass and clean up the ruined streets

STL activist,pastor Doug Hollis after protests took turn. "If you can't come here peacefully, don't come at all." #jasonstockley #stlverdict pic.twitter.com/n7nEIZQsBY — Nassim Benchaabane (@NassimBnchabane) September 17, 2017

Protesters descended on West County Mall in St Louis, Missouri, on Saturday for the second day of protests over the acquittal of cop Jason Stockley who shot Anthony Smith in 2011

The protesters held signs reading 'black lives matter' and 'white silence = white consent' as they stormed down the escalators

As concerns over violence grew earlier Saturday, Messina Touring Group posted a cancellation notice on the website of the Scott Trade Center, where Ed Sheeran had been expected to play on Sunday.

'With the safety of the fans being of upmost concern, and after consulting with local officials, who could not fully commit to providing a sufficient amount of police and other city services support, we felt it was in everyone’s best interest to cancel Sunday night's show,' it read.

U2 cancelled its concert in St Louis on Saturday in light of the protests

'While we regret to have had to come to this decision, we do look forward to returning to St Louis as soon as Ed’s schedule will allow in 2018.

And earlier in the day, U2 issued its own statement, saying: 'We have been informed by the St Louis Police Department that they are not in a position to provide the standard protection for our audience as would be expected for an event of this size.

'We have also been informed that local crowd security personnel would not be at full capacity. In light of this information, we cannot in good conscience risk our fans’ safety by proceeding with tonight’s concert.

'As much as we regret having to cancel, we feel it is the only acceptable course of action in the current environment.'

Ticketholders will be able to claim a refund online or at their place of purchase, they added.

The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra also canceled its performances of the Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets scores on Friday and Saturday, and says ticket-holders should 'hold on' to their tickets while the event is rescheduled.

Its Sunday-night performance is still scheduled to go ahead, according to its website.

There was an increased police presence at the mall as the protesters stormed through it but the demonstration remained peaceful

Many stores closed their doors as the protesters marched past them peacefully carrying signs and chanting

Macy's locked its doors in fear of the crowd. The protesters said they wanted to 'shut down' the mall to harm the city's economy as payback for acquitting the white cop

Cops stood guard outside stores at the mall as protesters marched past with signs on Saturday afternoon

Stockley (left) was aquitted on Friday in the 2011 death of Smith (right, with his daughter)

With more protests feared to take place on Saturday night, an angry crowd formed at West County Mall to march.

They were non-violent and marched through the mall chanting various slogans. Friday night's protests were decidedly more threatening.

Police found guns at some of the protest sites and were forced to put out dumpster fires in other areas.

In a late night message, Mayor Lyda Krewson, who was forced to flee her home as protesters descended on it, joined St Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson to deliver a message to the city's residents.

'Our officers have been very tolerant and have used great restraint however this evening we've had some incidents.

As the protesters stormed the mall, there were fears of other, more violent protests which may erupt later in the night

'I DID NOTHING WRONG': COP DEFENDS HIMSELF AFTER ACQUITTAL After his acquittal on Friday, Jason Stockley took part in a sit-down interview with The St Louis Dispatch where he continued to defend his actions in December 2011. 'I did not murder Anthony Lamar Smith. I did not plant a gun. 'I can feel for and I understand what the family is going through, and I know everyone wants someone to blame, but I'm just not the guy,' he said. Critics are convinced he shot Smith six times with his own weapon then placed another in Smith's car to make it appear he had been armed. The gun had none of Smith's DNA on it but it had traces of Stockley's. Speaking of his acquittal, Stockley said he felt as though a 'burden had been lifted'. 'The taking of a life is the most significant thing that one can do, and it's not something that is done lightly and it's not something that should ever be celebrated. 'And it's just a horrible experience altogether. But, sometimes, it's necessary.' Advertisement

'Tonight, we responded to numerous locations as demonstrators marched through the city. After dark, many agitators began to destroy property and assault police officers.

'A total of 9 St Louis officers were injured. Injuries of St Louis city officers include a possible broken jaw as well as one officer with a dislocated shoulder.

'Windows were also broken, restaurants sustained damage as did the library. Tear gas was deployed after officers were assaulted with bricks and bottles.'

The force shared a photograph on Twitter of a gun that was found at one of the scenes.

Westgate Mall was temporarily shut down on Saturday in the second day of upheaval. They chanted: 'You kill one of us, we kill your economy' and carried Black Lives Matters signs above their heads.

A protester on Friday night faces officers in St Louis while marching against the acquittal of Jason Stockley

An officer armed with a wooden baton and wearing a gas mask gets ready to face the angry crowds

Police dressed in riot gear were forced to defend themselves against the angry crowds of protesters. Nine were injured

A child among the protesters who descended on the city last night, causing damage to buildings and injuries to cops

A group link arms in solidarity as they prepare to face police on Friday in St Louis

Susanna Prins, 27, of University City, showed up at a meeting to plan the action carrying a sign stating, 'White silence is violence.'

'I feel helpless and I feel just rage,' Prins said. 'Not saying or doing anything makes you complicit in the brutalization of our friends and neighbors.

Video footage taken inside shows them chanting from the escalators.

They formed their plan in a park hours earlier where one protester told local station KSDK: 'There's only two things this country understands: money and eye-for-an-eye, tooth-for-a-tooth.

'The second, we're not engaged in so we have to affect this system economically. Today, we are going to shut down a mall.'

The protests, which began during the afternoon, continued well into the evening hours

Police are seen above blocking the entrance to the interstate during a mass protest

One demonstrator addresses the crowd with a bullhorn while another holds up an American flag

A man rides a bike as police in riot gear stand watch in downtown St. Louis

A protester holds an American flag upside down during the demonstrations

On Friday night, protesters used milk to take the pepper spray out of their eyes.

The head of the NAACP St. Louis asked President Donald Trump and the Justice Department to immediately review Stockley's acquittal.

St. Louis Public Radio reports that in a letter sent Friday, St. Louis NAACP president Adolphus Pruitt said the Justice Department needed to give immediate attention to the case 'to get to the truth of what happened and to ensure that justice has been served.'

Pruitt said the community has lost faith in local authorities to fairly handle such cases.

Demonstrators were also seen burning American flags as they were marching through the mayor's neighborhood

A protester stands on a 'blue lives matter' flag after the not guilty verdict in the murder trial

A riot police officer is seen above holding a gun as protests continued well into the night

Earlier on Friday, men were seen holding rifles as they walk down with a group of protesters in downtown St. Louis, after a judge found a white former St. Louis police officer, Jason Stockley, not guilty of first-degree murder in the death of a black man, Anthony Lamar Smith, who was fatally shot following a high-speed chase in 2011

He cited the remarks from Albert Watkins, the attorney for Smith's fiancee. Watkins said ruling was 'appallingly contrary' to evidence in the case.

Watkins said the family disagrees with the judge's ruling that the state didn't meet its burden of proof for a finding that the officer was guilty of murder.

Watkins and Smith's fiance, Christina Wilson, on Thursday appealed for calm and non-violent protest no matter what verdict was issued.

Wells Fargo Advisors, brokerage and investment firm Stifel and Nestle Purina PetCare all sent thousands of employees home Friday after the acquittal.

And an Alzheimer's Walk scheduled for Saturday in downtown St. Louis was postponed.

A protester is doused with milk to counter the effects of pepper spray which was used by police

A cop and a protester stand face to face during the protests on Friday

Protesters are seen above yelling at law enforcement officers on the steps of the Old Courthouse

Members of National Park Service watch as protesters pass the Old Courthouse

A woman marching downtown holds up a sign that reads 'Murderers Are In Uniform' during the protests

THE JUDGE WHO DECIDED THE CASE St. Louis Circuit Judge Timothy Wilson The judge who acquitted Stockley is described as objective and well-respected by prosecutors and defense lawyers alike. St. Louis Circuit Judge Timothy Wilson, who must retire when he turns 70 in December, has ruled both for and against police during his 28 years on the bench. 'He's very methodical and a very objective judge,' Jack Garvey, a lawyer and former judge told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 'He really will review everything before he makes a decision. I don't think he's ideological in any way.' People accused of crimes have the right to have their cases heard by a jury, but can opt to have the verdict rendered by a judge instead, as Stockley chose to do. Experts say a judge is more likely to understand the concept of reasonable doubt and not be swayed by emotions. Advertisement

Republican Gov. Eric Greitens was highly critical during his 2016 campaign of how former Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon managed the Ferguson protests, suggesting that with the right presence and leadership there could have been peace by the second night.

In advance of the Stockley verdict, Greitens met with Smith's fiancée, black state lawmakers, black St. Louis faith leaders and law enforcement in the hopes of projecting a shared message that peaceful protest would be tolerated but violence wouldn't.

Before the verdict, Greitens put the National Guard on standby, and some troops were deployed Friday night to guard fire stations and other "critical infrastructure" that Greitens didn't specify. He was in St. Louis Friday night and met with local law enforcement officials.

Police erected barricades around their own headquarters and the courthouse and dozens of officers in flak jackets and helmets who wielded batons and shields corralled demonstrators throughout the day and evening.

Demonstrators occasionally lobbed objects into the fortified line of officers, who used pepper spray to repel the crowd.

Tensions flared several times, including when protesters blocked a bus full of riot officers, damaged a police cruiser with rocks and later broke a window and spattered red paint on the home of Mayor Lyda Krewson.

After a tense standoff at the mayor's home, police used tear gas to clear the area.

Police said they made nearly two-dozen arrests before dark and more in the evening, though they still hadn't provided an updated figure more than 12 hours later.

Stockley testified that he saw the 24-year-old holding a silver revolver as he sped away and felt he was in imminent danger as he was approaching the vehicle later.

At his trial, prosecutors said Stockley planted a gun in Smith's car after the shooting - Stockley's DNA was on the weapon but Smith's wasn't. Dashcam video from Stockley's cruiser captured him saying he was "going to kill this (expletive), don't you know it." Less than a minute later, he shot Smith five times.

Stockley's lawyer dismissed the comment as "human emotions" uttered during a dangerous pursuit and the judge said it could be ambiguous.

St. Louis Circuit Judge Timothy Wilson said prosecutors didn't prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Stockley murdered Smith or that the officer didn't act in self-defense.