MILWAUKEE — City leaders blamed outside agitators Monday after a second straight night of violence wracked Milwaukee’s mostly black north side in protest over a fatal shooting.
The problems began Saturday afternoon after a black police officer shot and killed a black man after a traffic stop. Police say 23-year-old Sylville K. Smith was fleeing and had a stolen handgun when he was shot; they say bodycam footage clearly shows him holding the weapon.
An 18-year-old man was shot and wounded during Sunday night’s unrest, which was milder and far less destructive than Saturday night’s confrontation. Mayor Tom Barrett singled out young people on the streets of the Sherman Park neighborhood who he said were intent on causing trouble.
Police Chief Edward Flynn blamed a Chicago chapter of the Revolutionary Communist Party for upending what had until then been a peaceful night by leading marchers down several blocks at around 11:30 p.m. Fourteen people were arrested. Three police officers and four sheriff’s deputies were hurt.
