All 36 people who were arrested in St. Louis, Mo. Monday night in connection with protests, looting, and arson have since been released from jail.
St. Louis Police spokeswoman Michelle Woodling told the St. Louis Post Dispatch that two of those arrested had been released from jail with a summons to appear in court, but said the remainder were released as police applied for charges down the road or after prosecutors refused to follow through with charges.
Charges for the rioters included trespassing, burglary, causing property damage, stealing, and assault. Those arrested ranged in age from 17 to 36, with most being teens and individuals in their 20s.
Police reportedly sought charges in two cases with Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner, her spokeswoman, Allison Hawk, confirmed. In both cases Gardner declined prosecution and requested police provide more follow-up investigation.
“In a stunning development, our office has learned that every single one of the St. Louis looters and rioters arrested were released back onto the streets by local prosecutor Kim Gardner,” tweeted Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt Wednesday
In a stunning development, our office has learned that every single one of the St. Louis looters and rioters arrested were released back onto the streets by local prosecutor Kim Gardner. pic.twitter.com/tMZVAyHssw
— Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) June 3, 2020
“To see that kind of level of violence and rioting that went on, police officers being shot and shot at, a retired police captain being murdered, people throwing rocks and gasoline and frozen water bottles at police officers, firefighters being assaulted and blocked from doing their job, businesses that have served the community for years being burned to the ground, it’s unfathomable that every single person arrested that night has been released,” Schmitt said in a statement reported by KSDK News. “It is stunning.”
Schmitt said he would do what he could to prosecute those released.
The announcement of the released protesters also comes in the wake of several police shootings in St. Louis on Monday and Tuesday.
Four St. Louis Police officers were shot and injured Monday night. Two officers were struck in the leg, one was shot in the foot and the fourth was shot in the arm. Another retired police captain, 77-year-old David Dorn was shot in the stomach and killed around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.
