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Oct. 12, 1966
October 12, 1966
Violence breaks out after Detroit resident misidentified as looter shot, killed
One week after the meltdown of the Fermi atomic plant, an explosion of violence has gripped Detroit. It began after a twenty-four year old Black male was killed by police outside of his own home yesterday near Linwood and West Grand Boulevard on Detroit’s west side. Police reportedly mistook him for a looter as he removed some personal items from his home. News of the shooting has caused outrage in Detroit, which is already in a state of turmoil after the Fermi disaster.
As news of the shooting spread, the neighborhood erupted into chaos. Neighbors started throwing rocks and bottles at police, injuring several officers. Nearby storefronts, closed due to the evacuation of many city residents, were the targets of looters, who broke windows and stole merchandise. Several buildings are reportedly on fire, and the Detroit Fire Department has been sent to battle the blazes.
Additional police officers have been sent to quell the violence. Evacuation efforts in the Detroit have stopped, and officers are being re-assigned to restore peace in the city. Mayor Cavanagh has requested Governor Romney for assistance from the Michigan State Police and Michigan National Guard. [1]