Mass riot with police under attack from missiles as officers shoot teenager in the street
ANGRY crowds threw rocks and glass bottles at police after a teenager was shot by an officer.
Riot reports after shooting in Salt Lake City
The 16-year-old boy was reportedly hit by four bullets following an altercation in Salt Lake City, in the American state of Utah, last night.
Witnesses have accused the police of using excessive force and friends of the teenager claim he was only armed with a broomstick when police opened fire.
Officers were hit with bottles and rocks
The boy’s friend Selam Mohammad claimed the the male was holding the broom when officers ran up and shot him.
He said: “The police said drop it once, then shot him four times.
Eye Witness talks about shock shooting in Salt Lake City
“The police ran on foot and pulled their guns out already.
"As soon as we was running he was already grabbing for his gun, like not even trying to taser him or anything like that. He said drop it - boom, boom - like four times."
Up to 100 officers responded to the riots
Mohammad said his friend was shot in the chest and stomach.
He was taken to hospital but his condition is not yet known.
Salt Lake City police confirmed an officer was involved in the shooting
The shooting happened at 8.15pm but it wasn’t until almost two hours later that police admitted an officer had been involved.
Angry protestors gathered after the shooting and up to 100 officers were called in to deal with the riot.
He said drop it - boom, boom - like four times
Several officers have reportedly been injured by rocks and glass.
Roads were sealed off and a number of arrests have been made.
Several arrests are reported to have been made
Police said two officers were initially called to the Rio Grande Street area of the city to deal with an altercation.