Omaha cops arrest multiple protesters in violent clashes during demonstration over armed black man who was shot and killed by police after refusing to get out of his friend's car
Police in Omaha have arrested several protesters after demonstrators outside their building, calling for the release of body-camera footage from a controversial shooting, refused to disperse.
Protesters gathered in the Nebraska city on Friday night seeking answers following the death of Kenneth Jones.
Jones, 35, was shot dead by police on Thursday at a traffic stop.
Police said he was 'asked to exit the vehicle' and refused.
'A struggle ensued. Ofc discharged his weapon. Party was struck, transported and later died. Investigation is ongoing,' the police tweeted.
Protesters in Omaha on Friday night demanded the release of the police footage
Activists gathered outside Omaha police department urging action from the police chiefs
Several dozen people were in the Nebraska city on Friday night calling for justice
On Friday night dozens of protestors gathered on the sidewalk in front of the police building, chanting and holding up signs.
They beamed a photograph of bloodied hands onto the wall opposite the headquarters, with the wording: 'This isn't transparency. Release the footage of the OPD execution of Kenneth Jones.'
The crowd marched through the street in the Old Market, holding up light-up letters spelling 'OPD WHY.'
Police declared the march to be an unlawful gathering and moved to arrest several protesters - some activists said five were taken into custody.
OPD is yet to comment on the march or the arrests.
The crowd dispersed around 10pm, according to KETV.
Earlier OPD had issued a news release about the shooting on Thursday night.
Omaha police declared the protest an unlawful assembly and ordered the crowd to disperse
They said officers ordered Jones, a passenger in a private vehicle, to 'stop reaching' as they attempted to get him out of the car.
According to police, footage from the body cameras worn by the officers show Jones moving around inside the car as police walked towards it.
OPD said officers used a flashlight to break a car window and they said Jones continued to try to pull away.
During the struggle, OPD said a police officer yelled 'he's got a gun' and then 'Gun! Gun! Gun!'
Four shots were fired seconds later, OPD said.
OPD said officers found a loaded .45 caliber handgun under Jones' body.
They said the case will be presented to a grand jury after the investigation.
Police said Jones was released from the Department of Corrections in 2018.
According to police, he was released for being a felon in possession of a deadly weapon.
Todd Schmaderer, Omaha Police Chief, said: 'We would like to express our condolences to the family and friends of Kenneth Jones and the rest of the community that are affected by this incident.
'We are committed to conducting a thorough investigation and providing the public with complete details. The investigation is progressing and we ask for patience until it is complete.
'We will keep the public updated as additional information is verified.'
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