St. Petersburg, Florida Riot 1996

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At approximately 2:00 AM on Thursday, October 24, 1996, St. Petersburg (FL) Police Officer James Knight and his partner executed a traffic stop on a suspected stolen vehicle. The driver of this vehicle, Tyron Lewis, an 18 year-old convicted drug offender, pulled over to the side of the road. Officer Knight ordered Lewis to exit the vehicle, an order that was not obeyed. Lewis then began to drive away at slow speed. Officer Knight moved to the front of the vehicle and reported his order to exit the vehicle. Lewis began to accelerate the vehicle towards Knight at slow speed, pushing Knight towards active traffic lanes on 16th Street South. Knight drew his weapon and repeated his order to exit the vehicle. Lewis continued driving towards Knight who then fired three shots. Lewis was critically injured and taken to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, FL where he later died.

During the investigation immediately following this event, a large crowd had gathered and became agitated due to the police department not sharing information and a number of "witnesses" describing events that had not necessarily seen. The situation quickly got out of hand and the crowd began throwing rocks, bottles, and other items at police officers. Police officers received reinforcements from other local agencies and off-duty St. Petersburg Police officers. As officers and Sheriff deputies shot tear gas in to the crowd and dispersed the initial crowd at 16th Street and 18th Avenue South, a number of individuals continued rioting through the area of St. Petersburg known as Midtown.

At least 20 people were arrested and 28 arson fires were confirmed as groups of youths ran back and forth throughout the night, throwing rocks, bricks and bottles at officers in riot gear, businesses and passing cars. At least 11 people were injured, including a police officer who was shot and a newspaper photographer who was beaten, as hundreds of people swarmed through the streets after the shooting on Oct 24th. Stores were looted and thick smoke clouded the predominantly black neighborhood just south of downtown St. Petersburg, FL.