Milwaukee mostly quiet Monday after 2 nights of violent unrest


Milwaukee imposed a 10 p.m. curfew on teenagers Monday night, following two nights of violent unrest in the predominantly black Sherman Park neighborhood sparked by the officer-involved shooting of an armed suspect on Saturday. At 10:30 p.m., Mayor Tom Barrett and Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn were cautiously optimistic at a news conference. "We think we are in, comparatively speaking, a positive place," Flynn said. The Milwaukee police arrested about half a dozen people earlier in the night, and that "seemed to have some impact, but again, we had folks from the community step forward to take a leadership role in reducing tensions within the group that had assembled." He specifically thanked pastors and other faith leaders.
"It's not a situation where we're saying everything is great," Barrett said, "but again, up to this point, the signs have been very encouraging for tonight." He urged the Wisconsin Department of Justice to release the body-camera footage of the shooting death of 23-year-old Sylville K. Smith, which he has seen. Gov. Scott Walker (R) has sent 123 National Guard members to Milwaukee County at the request of Sheriff David Clarke, but they haven't been deployed on the streets. Flynn said that earlier Monday, Police District 7 station was briefly closed amid threats and nearby gunfire. You can watch part of Flynn and Barrett's news conference, plus scenes from Sherman Park, below. Peter Weber
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
How to create a healthy 'germier' home
Under The Radar Exposure to a broad range of microbes can enhance our immune system, especially during childhood
-
George Floyd: Did Black Lives Matter fail?
Feature The momentum for change fades as the Black Lives Matter Plaza is scrubbed clean
-
National debt: Why Congress no longer cares
Feature Rising interest rates, tariffs and Trump's 'big, beautiful' bill could sent the national debt soaring
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read