Race riots occurred in 1996 in St. Petersburg, Florida.
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At approximately 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 24, 1996, Officer James Knight of the St. Petersburg Police Department and his partner executed a traffic stop on a suspected stolen vehicle, which turned out not to be stolen. The driver of this vehicle, Tyron Lewis, an 18-year-old black male, pulled over to the side of the road. Officer Knight alleges he ordered Lewis to exit the vehicle, an order he alleges was not obeyed. Officer Knight alleges, he moved to the front of the vehicle and ordered Lewis to exit the vehicle. He alleges Lewis's vehicle rolled towards Knight at slow speed, which Knight contends pushed him towards active traffic lanes on 16th Street South. Knight drew his weapon and then fired at least three shots. Lewis was critically injured and taken to Bayfront Medical Center 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. 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 into 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.
Media outlets published different versions of the initial incident. The media outlets in and around the St. Petersburg area included the information that the car Lewis was driving was suspected of being stolen. Media outlets outside the area only mentioned that Lewis was pulled over for speeding. Additionally, many published articles did not mention that Lewis had cocaine in the car, both cocaine and marijuana in his system and a warrant for his arrest.[1]
The People's Democratic Uhuru Movement has a gym named "Uhuru Black Gym of Our Own." City leaders moved the gym to an abandoned building on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. S., renovated the building and renamed it to "All People's TyRon Lewis Community Gym." This move sparked controversy with many police officers.[2]
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, Florida
After the rioting, Officer James Knight and his partner Sandra Minor, were put on paid leave while investigation into their actions took place.[3] Within a few weeks, the two officers were cleared of all charges by a grand jury, igniting further rioting.[4]
In 2009, the independent movie Loren Cass was released in the United States.
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