Arrests made near scene of Milwaukee police shooting

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MILWAUKEE — About 10 people have been arrested in Milwaukee after dozens gathered near where a black man was fatally shot by police earlier this month.

Sgt. Timothy Gauerke said in a statement Tuesday night that Milwaukee police received complaints about crowds gathering in the Sherman Park neighbourhood where Sylville Smith was killed Aug. 13, sparking two nights of violence.

Gauerke’s statement didn’t elaborate about why the crowd had gathered. The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement that neighbours complained about a rowdy group “doing drugs and disturbing their neighbourhood,” according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Gauerke says police asked between 30 to 40 people to disperse. When some refused, police made arrests for disorderly conduct and resisting an officer.

The state Department of Justice is investigating Smith’s shooting. Police say he turned toward an officer with a gun in hand before he was shot.

The Associated Press

©2016 The Canadian Press