Protests became deadly in Louisville, Kentucky, after law enforcement said they “returned fire” at protesters.
Kentucky police say they were forced to fire back at a crowd after demonstrators “shot at” them for attempting to disperse a crowd, leading to the death of 53-year-old David McAtee.
“Officers and soldiers began to clear the lot and at some point were shot at,” said Louisville Metro Police Chief Steve Conrad after the event occurred in a parking lot. “Both LMPD and national guard members returned fire, we have one man dead at scene.”
Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear released a statement on the incident Monday morning, adding he authorized the Kentucky State Police to investigate independently.
“Last night at around 12 a.m., it is our understanding that the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) and the Kentucky National Guard were dispatched to 26th and Broadway. While working to disperse a crowd, LMPD and the Kentucky National Guard were fired upon,” Beshear said. “LMPD and the Kentucky National Guard returned fire resulting in a death. Given the seriousness of the situation, I have authorized the Kentucky State Police to independently investigate the event.”
Statement from Governor Andy Beshear: pic.twitter.com/MyHxcE3Ntn
— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) June 1, 2020
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer expressed condolences to McAtee’s family in a social media post on Monday, saying he had spoken to his mother and will commit himself to finding answers about the incident.
McAtee, a black business owner, operated a popular barbecue restaurant in the area for 30 years. His friends described him as a “good, decent” person and a “staple in the community” by local officials.
“Right now, I can’t tell you the feeling I have. All I can say — when a mother loses her child, a piece of you goes along with that child,” said McAtee’s mother Odessa Riley about her son’s death.
“Right now, I can’t tell you the feeling I have. All I can say — when a mother loses her child, a piece of you goes along with that child.” — Odessa Riley, #DavidMcAtee‘s mother #Louisville #BreonnaTaylor pic.twitter.com/jdtI4mqcZL
— Philmonger (@phillipmbailey) June 1, 2020
At least 40 people in Louisville were arrested in protests Sunday night after the city’s mayor implemented a 9 p.m. curfew to restore order.
Demonstrators in Louisville were protesting the death of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old black woman who was shot and killed in March after police attempted to execute a search warrant for her apartment.
The police in the area were reportedly investigating two men who they believed were selling illegal drugs and suspected Taylor’s apartment was used to receive packages from at least one of the men. The police obtained a “no-knock” warrant that allows law enforcement to enter homes without identifying themselves.
Police say they fired back after Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, shot at them and wounded one of the officers. However, police accounts have been disputed about whether authorities knocked or identified themselves before entering Taylor’s home.
The confrontation led to Taylor being shot at least eight times.
Taylor’s family sued the Louisville Police Department earlier last month. Her family is being represented by the same attorneys who represent the families of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd.
