Wisconsin police ask protesters to show restraint following shooting of black teen

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last updated 8 March 2015

Mike Koval, police chief of Madison, Wisconsin, called on protesters to show restraint in their demonstrations on Saturday, following a fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager by an officer on Friday night, the Detroit Free Press reports.

"In light of so much things that have happened not just across the country, but in our own community, it's understandable that the reaction at the scene and of some of our citizens is extremely volatile, emotional and upsetting," Koval said. "We would urge, obviously, that everyone exercise restraint, calm, and allow the Division of Criminal Investigation to conduct their affairs."

Koval said one of his Madison police officers followed the teenager, identified by his mother as 19-year-old Tony Robinson, after receiving reports that a man was jumping into traffic and hitting pedestrians. The officer followed Robinson back to his apartment, where he forced his way in after allegedly hearing a disturbance. Koval said Robinson then assaulted the officer, at which point the officer drew his revolver and shot Robinson more than once. An outside agency will investigate the shooting.

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Sarah Eberspacher is an associate editor at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked as a sports reporter at The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus and The Arizona Republic. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.

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