Peaceful protests over the fatal police shooting of a Black \u201cviolence interrupter\u201d in Washington, DC, turned violent Tuesday evening when protesters threw bottles and rocks at police officers, leading to arrests, authorities said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Crowds had gathered outside the Metropolitan Police Department 7th District station in southeast DC, calling for justice for Justin Robinson, a 26-year-old activist against gun violence killed by police early morning on September 1 at a McDonald\u2019s drive-thru. The incident was captured on two body-camera videos, which were released Monday evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Metropolitan Police Department\u2019s model use of force and training emphasizes de-escalation, proportionality, and reasonableness,\u201d Robinson family attorney Brandon Burrell told CNN Wednesday. \u201cNone of which was exhibited by MPD on the day they brutally killed Justin Robinson.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The two officers involved, Vasco Mateus, who has been with the department for four years, and Bryan Gilchrist, for 2.5 years, have been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation, police said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CNN has contacted the police union representing officers with the Metropolitan Police Department but did not immediately receive a response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy first reaction is anytime there\u2019s a loss of life, it\u2019s a tragic thing for our community whether it\u2019s via an officer-involved shooting, whether it\u2019s one of our officers who loses his or her life, or whether it\u2019s a community member that loses his or her life, not necessarily in this situation, but in any situation, and I\u2019m always bothered and disturbed by it,\u201d MPD Chief Pamela A. Smith said at a news conference Monday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The release of the body-camera footage Monday coincided with police in Miami releasing a video of officers pulling Miami Dolphins NFL player Tyreek Hill from his car<\/u><\/a> and detaining him, further heightening scrutiny of law enforcement\u2019s use of force, particularly against people of color. The officer who detained Hill has been placed on administrative leave while the incident is under review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The body-camera footage reveals a chaotic interaction lasting just over 10 minutes. Details of the crash, as well as how long Robinson was unresponsive before police arrived, remain unclear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Officer Gilchrist arrived at around 5:35 a.m. and called for backup, describing to dispatchers an unconscious man with a gun on his lap, according to the body-camera footage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As more officers arrived, Gilchrist can be heard discussing how to approach the suspect: \u201cSo, what we need is deadly coverage and extraction,\u201d he says in the video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When Robinson began moving, officers issued verbal commands for him to keep his hand off the weapon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The window was initially rolled up and Robinson appears to roll it down as Gilchrist repeatedly yells, \u201cHands up, hands up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n As they approached with their weapons drawn, Robinson appeared to reach out the window and grabbed one of the officer\u2019s firearms, MPD said. The footage, however, is unclear because Robinson\u2019s face has been blurred, a redaction that is required by law, MPD Chief Smith said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An officer can be heard saying, \u201cI\u2019ll shoot you in the F**king face,\u201d though it\u2019s unclear which one said it. Then, Gilchrist and another officer fired multiple shots at Robinson, video shows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although the DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department already was the scene and provided immediate care, Robinson died from his injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t proportionate to shoot him 10 times, and the actions of MPD escalated the encounter,\u201d Burrell said. \u201cThis was police brutality.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Robinson\u2019s family was initially reluctant to release the body-camera footage, as they were informed it would be redacted, his sister, Tralicia, told CNN affiliate WUSA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe wanted to watch the video ourselves and then be able to tell our own story before the video was redacted,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On Saturday, Robinson\u2019s family attorney consented to release the footage, Smith said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asia West, Robinson\u2019s aunt, told CNN affiliate WJLA in an interview<\/u><\/a> on Tuesday she watched the body-camera footage and \u201ccried myself to sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey took his life like he meant nothing. That\u2019s a problem. The officers that killed him should be held responsible for murder,\u201d West told WJLA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Robinson was a well-loved figure in his community, Burrell said. He worked as a \u201cviolence interrupter\u201d with Cure the Streets<\/u><\/a>, a public safety program created by the District of Columbia\u2019s Office of the Attorney General to reduce gun violence. The program employs people with strong community ties to the neighborhoods they serve, its website says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe always had a smile,\u201d his sister told WUSA. \u201cIf anyone ever see him and it\u2019s time to depart they\u2019ll say, \u2018I love you,\u2019 and he\u2019ll say, \u2018I love you more.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Robinson\u2019s family is devastated and preparing for his funeral on Thursday, Burrell said.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFamily attorney: \u2018This was police brutality\u2019<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
At least seven officers, some of whom were people of color, surrounded Robinson\u2019s car, which was stopped mid-drive-thru after a crash. Officers said they found Robinson unresponsive, with a firearm inside the vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u2018He always had a smile\u2019<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n