Knife-Wielding Man Shot & Killed By St. Louis Police

A 23-year-old Black man was shot and killed by police in North St. Louis Tuesday (Aug. 19) in the midst of more protests near the area. The man was gunned down roughly four miles from the city of Ferguson, although the deceased has not been linked to the continued unrest.

Authorities say that the man tried to rob a convenience store and was brandishing a knife. He yelled “shoot me! kill me now!” at cops. It is not clear if he suffered any kind of mental disability.

From KDSK:

The shooting happened near Riverview Boulevard and McLaran Avenue. St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson says the suspect pulled a knife on a 6th District officer. No police officers were injured.

The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene, which is located approximately four miles from the unrest in Ferguson.

Within an hour of the shooting, a crowd had gathered in the area.

The man, who has yet to be identified, was pronounced dead on the scene. No officers were injured in the incident.

Cops say the man was acting “erratically.”  They did not have their weapons drawn when the man approached until he came within 3 to 4 feet, at which point two officers opened fire.

See photos and reactions below.

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Photo: Twitter