Tensions High in St. Louis Suburb After Police Shoot Man Who They Say Drew Gun on Officer

Protesters clashed with police in a St. Louis suburb Tuesday night after an 18-year-old man was shot by an officer who said the suspect drew a firearm on him.

The deceased was identified as Antonio Martin by his mother, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He was shot in Berkeley County, a community close to Ferguson where a controversial grand jury decision led to riots in November.

According to the St. Louis County police, an unidentified Berkeley, Mo. officer was conducting a routine business check at a Mobil gas station when he noticed two individuals on the side of the building.

When approached, police said one of the men pulled a handgun and pointed it at the officer. The officer, who feared for his life, fired multiple shots at the individual, killing him, according to the St. Louis County police.

The shooting is still being investigated at the scene.

Police said, however, they recovered the suspect's handgun.

Early in the night, demonstrators quickly gathered while police were investigating, cursing and taunting officers who desperately tried to keep the crime scene cordoned off.

Eventually, activists pushed their way through police lines and, in one instance, a parked police cruiser came under attack from some demonstrators.

"Who's s**t? Our s**t!" chanted activists, before attempting to bash in windows.

Tensions quickly rose and some at the scene reported that bricks were thrown. A firework or flash bang was then thrown as officers and demonstrators clashed.

Video captured near the scene appeared to indicate looting had taken place.

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