http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_356646.html


Violent protests over Brixton shooting
==========================
A demonstration against the fatal shooting by armed police of a man waving
an imitation gun has degenerated into violence.

Derek Bennett, 29, a psychiatric patient, was shot dead by a police marksman
on Monday.

He had been pointing a novelty cigarette lighter, thought to be a gun, at a
bystander in Brixton, south London.

More than 120 protesters had gathered outside Brixton police station, in
what started as a peaceful protest, and later held a minute's silence at the
scene of the shooting on the Angel Estate.

But a Metropolitan Police spokesman said 40 protesters had begun carrying
out acts of vandalism in streets in the centre of Brixton.

He added: "Isolated acts of criminal damage are being perpetrated by small
groups of youths.

"They are getting excited by each other and tipping over dustbins. One shop
window was broken in a hit and run attack."

Police are monitoring the disturbance but have not made any arrests.

Story filed: 22:31 Friday 20th July 2001

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