Killing Sparks Rioting in Nashville
A discount department store near a public housing project was looted and burned early Sunday after a white police officer shot and killed a black murder suspect.
People gathered, and some threw rocks and bottles at police, after the shooting of Leon R. Fisher, 23, of Nashville, about 2:45 a.m. Police put the crowd at fewer than 100, but some witnesses said 200 to 300 people were present.
About two hours later, a Dollar General Store was destroyed by fire. Nobody was reported hurt in the rioting or fire, there were no arrests and the area was quiet by Sunday night, said Officer Frank Leggett, assistant supervisor in police communications.
Police and witnesses gave conflicting accounts of what happened after Fisher, a rider in a van pulled over for speeding, allegedly tried to flee and became involved in a fight with officers.
Some witnesses said Fisher was already handcuffed when he was shot and claimed that police waited before trying to resuscitate him. But police said Fisher was handcuffed after he was shot and officers immediately administered aid.
At a news conference, Mayor Phil Bredesen defended Sgt. Randy Hickerson, who shot Fisher.
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