Protesters have clashed with cops for a second night in St Louis, Missouri following the fatal shooting of black 18-year-old Vonderrit Myers Jr., who was gunned down by an off-duty police officer on Wednesday. Demonstrators burned American flags, blacked intersections, banged drums and taunted police as they gathered in Shaw to protest the teenager's death at the hands of the unidentified cop - just moments after they had met for a quiet candle-lit vigil for Myers. Police in riot gear lined up on a high street as protesters yelled abuse and profanities at the officers, who silently stood their ground - although some used pepper spray to force the crowd back. Police helicopters buzzed above the neighborhood.
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Hundreds of protesters blocked intersections, burned American flags, banged drums and taunted police as they demonstrated in the streets of south St Louis, Missouri on Thursday night
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Police dressed in riot gear used pepper spray to control the crowd
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The protests came a night after Vonderrit Myers Jr. was gunned down by an off-duty officer in Shaw; the unidentified cop followed the 'suspicious-looking' teen after deeming he had a gun and insists the teenager shot at him first
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This week's demonstrations are just the latest in the area since another teenager, Michael Brown, was shot dead by a police officer in broad daylight on August 9; it emerged that Brown was unarmed
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State and city leaders have urged the Justice Department to investigate Myers' death, fearing he was targeted because he was black
Standing up: Protesters block  the intersection with a car paying respects to @placeholder, who was killed by an officer on August 9