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Printable text version | Mail this to a friend June 17, 2003
BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (AP) -
Hundreds of people rioted for a second straight night Tuesday following the death of a biker who was being chased by police, setting a building and cars ablaze as authorities declared a state of emergency.
"Several hundred people are creating a significant disturbance in the streets," said Berrien County Sheriff Lt. William Tucker.
Several police cars were damaged and two private cars were set ablaze in the second day of disturbances in this mostly black city southwestern Michigan city of about 12,000 people.
The rioting was in response to the death of Terrance Shurn, 28, of Benton Harbor, who lost control of his speeding motorcycle while being chased by a police officer.
The vacant two-story building that Shurn crashed into was set on fire Tuesday night. The burning building was heavily damaged as firefighters were kept at bay by the crowd.
At least one firefighter sustained an injury from the crowd while trying to reach the building, Tucker said. The nature of the injury was unknown Tuesday night and the firefighter was taken to an area hospital.
A woman and a child were also hurt, but there were no further details about their injuries, officials said.
Some Benton Harbor residents blamed the problems on what they said has been years of police harassment.
"We're tired of it now. We're tired of it," said Antonio Cornelius, 21, who said he happened on the scene about midway through the disturbance earlier Tuesday.
Police officers in riot gear gathered at the scene Tuesday night and were trying to maintain crowd control. Officials had feared continued disturbances and had planned to have between 30 and 40 Michigan State Police troopers on standby to assist the city police department.
During a three-hour melee that ended around 2 a.m. Tuesday, officers were outnumbered and unable to arrest any of the hundreds of residents involved.
During that disturbance, four Benton Harbor police vehicles suffered extensive damage and three more received minor damage. Two fire department vehicles also were damaged.
The state of emergency will allow for state resources, such as the National Guard, to be brought in if needed.
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