'Violence interrupter' with gun in lap reaches for officer's gun, gets fatally shot. Cue the violent protests.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Tuesday evening, September 10th, a protest over the fatal officer-involved police shooting of a violence interrupter took a violent turn when protesters began throwing bottles and rocks at police officers, leading to the arrests of several individuals. The initial shooting took place after Justin Robinson, who is allegedly a part of a "violence interruption" program, reached for an officer's gun and was subsequently shot by police.

According to reports, crowds had gathered outside the Metropolitan Police Department 7th District station in southeast D.C., calling for justice for 26-year-old Justin Robinson, an activist in the community against gun violence, who was fatally shot by police during the early morning hours on September 1st at a McDonald's drive-thru.

The incident was captured on two body camera videos. Footage from those cameras were released to the public on Monday, September 9th. 

After the release of the footage, Robinson family attorney Brandon Burrell said in a statement, "The Metropolitan Police Department's model use of force and training emphasizes de-escalation, proportionality, and reasonableness. None of which was exhibited by MPD on the day they brutally killed Justin Robinson." 

Authorities with the police department said that both officers involved, Vasco Mateus who has been with the force for four years and Bryan Gilchrist who has been with the department for 2.5 years, have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation. This is common protocol for police departments across the country.

At a news conference on Monday, September 9th, MPD Chief Pamela A. Smith said, "My first reaction is anytime there's a loss of life, it's a tragic thing for our community whether it's via an officer-involved shooting, whether it's one of our officers who loses his or her life, or whether it's a community member that loses his or her life, not necessarily in this situation, but in any situation, and I'm always bothered and disturbed by it."

According to Fox 5, the protests on Tuesday night shut down streets and police made a total of seven arrests. The protest began around 7:30 p.m. with a small group of people, but quickly grew to over 100. Protesters chanted phrases like, "No justice, no peace" and "arrest the officers." Police said that increased visibility and presence across the city will continue, particularly in the 7th District, as the investigation continues.

Fox News reported that Robinson was a member of the D.C. violence interruption program called Cure the Streets. The program is a pilot public safety program that was launched by the Office of the Attorney General of D.C., which seeks to reduce gun violence. 

The body camera footage shows Robinson, who police say was initially unconscious in his car with a gun in his lap after crashing into the McDonald's, attempting to grab an officer's gun through his car's window after regaining consciousness before he was fatally shot by police.

On the night of the protest, MPD said in a statement, "At approximately 10:05 p.m., peaceful protests at MPD's Seventh District station turned violent when individuals began throwing bottles, rocks, and other objects at officers. MPD immediately began giving dispersal warnings as individuals continued to throw objects at officers." The statement added, "We will continue to support those who choose to protest peacefully and safely, and we will continue to hold accountable those who commit criminal acts."