George Floyd protests: 19-year-old protester shot dead by ‘unknown gunman’ in Detroit

A 19-year-old man has been shot and killed in Detroit after an unknown gunman opened fire on protesters.

A 19-year-old man has been shot and killed in Detroit after an unknown gunman opened fire on protesters after days of unrest in the city.

The teen was killed after an unknown person in a Dodge Durango approached a group of protesters and police in Detroit's Greektown entertainment district on Friday and opened fire, according to reports.

The teenager was pronounced dead in hospital after the shooting.

Riot police detain a man in Detroit. Picture: Seth Herald/AFP

A protester grabs at the vest of a police officer in Detroit. Picture: Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images/AFP

Detroit police fire tear gas on protesters. Picture: Seth Herald/AFP

Sergeant Nicole Kirkwood said officers had been in a confrontation with dozens of protesters, when a suspect in a Dodge Durango drove to the scene and fired shots on the crowd about 11.30pm.

Sgt Kirkwood could not provide details about the teenage victim.

Violent protests have now spread to more than 30 cities in the US, including Minneapolis, Portland, Dallas, Memphis, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Albuquerque, Atlanta, Louisville, Kansas City, Detroit, Columbus, New York City, Washington, San Jose, Los Angeles, Boston and Houston.

The protests have continued to intensify around the country, sparked by the death of African-American man George Floyd, who died after white police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes.

Mr Floyd’s death is being investigated by state and federal authorities, and Chauvin has been charged with third degree murder and manslaughter over the killing.

RELATED: Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin subject of multiple complaints before George Floyd’s death

In Los Angeles, protests have mostly been peaceful but CNN tonight reported looting and violence was taking place in downtown LA. Videos showed protesters running through the streets and fighting with officers as fireworks exploded among the crowds.

Reports have emerged of looting of major businesses in the city’s shopping precinct with rioters attacking police vehicles, lighting fires and forcing officers to retreat.

Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters who blocked a major freeway and vandalised police cars. Police have declared the protests an “unlawful assembly” and have urged residents to shelter in their homes.

Protesters face off with police in Los Angeles. Picture: Mark Ralston/AFP

Police open fire shooting rubber bullets at demonstrators. Picture: Ringo H.W. Chiu

A garbage bin burns between a police officer and a protester. Picture: Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP

Demonstrators smashed through the windows of two patrolling California Highway Patrol cars as hundreds of people blocked the Hollywood 101 Freeway earlier on Friday, according to NBC.

Other protesters who’d gathered outside the Los Angeles Police Department surrounded a police squad car on Friday. The police headquarters was vandalised with anti police messages. The LAPD said they were on alert from Thursday as protesters became increasingly aggressive.

We have declared an unlawful assembly throughout Downtown LA.
From the 10 Fwy to the 101 & the 110 Fwy to Alameda—This is being made following repeated acts of violence & property damage. Residents should stay inside—Business should close—Those on the street are to leave the area

— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) May 30, 2020

A protester screams at police. Picture: Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP

Rioters next to a vandalised bus. Picture: Jae C. Hong/AP

Demonstrators shut down the northbound CA-110 freeway on Friday. Picture: Damian Dovarganes/AP

Police cars vandalised and forced to retreat moments before this scene happened! Protests take over the streets of Downtown Los Angeles outside of a Whole Foods Market on the corner of 8th & S Grand Ave #georgefloyd #georgefloydprotest #losangeles #dtla #blacklivesmatter pic.twitter.com/CPPEBDnGSy

— Bryanna Reynolds (@ReynoldsBri) May 30, 2020

Demonstrators in Los Angeles. Picture: Christian Monterrosa/AP

Fireworks explode in the middle of protesters in downtown Los Angeles. Picture: ABC7

Wild video shows an explosion of fireworks over demonstrators protesting the death of #GeorgeFloyd in Downtown Los Angeles. The latest on the crowds clashing with LAPD here: https://t.co/1H9AMWeGIF pic.twitter.com/UPefVU5nS3

— ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) May 30, 2020

"While the vast majority of individuals in Los Angeles have expressed those views in a peaceful manner, we have witnessed an increasing level of violence and property damage committed by small number of detractors," the LAPD said in a statement on Friday.

"The violence involved dangerous projectiles directed at our people as well as some property damage to businesses in the area.

“While isolated, if left unchallenged we face the potential of those actions expanding and hurting innocent individuals."

In Atlanta, a disturbing video shared online showed what appeared to be children in military gear armed with guns.

Atlanta has deployed a child militia at Lenox Mall fitted with riot shields and batons. What the actual fuck is going on? pic.twitter.com/zTtmw5mDTN

— Fox Wound (@foxwoundband) May 30, 2020

In New York City, protesters have clashed with police for the second night in a row, with officers injured and dozens of people arrested.

Protesters gathered at a rally outside the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn and reportedly hurled bottles, garbage and other items at officers.

An abandoned police van was set alight by the rioters and other police vehicles were filmed on fire.

Several officers were injured, a police official told the New York Times. One officer was punched in the nose, another lost his teeth and a third was being treated for a dislocated leg. The report said between 50 and 100 protesters had been arrested.

Videos shared online showed officers and protesters in hand-to-hand combat, punching one another on the streets.

Brooklyn BLM demonstration, corner Flatbush & Pacific. pic.twitter.com/5AJGl7xyXy

— Nate Schweber (@nateschweber) May 30, 2020

Breaking: Rioters have set a police van on fire in the Brooklyn area of New York City. pic.twitter.com/nWdcLfEePU

— PM Breaking News (@PMBreakingNews) May 30, 2020

 As unrest continues to spread, the Pentagon took the rare step of ordering the Army to put several active-duty US military police units on the ready to deploy to Minneapolis, where the police killing of unarmed African-American man George Floyd sparked widespread protests.

Soldiers from Fort Bragg in North Carolina and Fort Drum in New York have been ordered to be ready to deploy within four hours if called, according to three people with direct knowledge of the orders.

Soldiers in Fort Carson, in Colorado, and Fort Riley in Kansas have been told to be ready within 24 hours. The people did not want their names used because they were not authorised to discuss the preparations.

—with AP