ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - More than two dozen suspected looters and others involved in Sunday and Monday's violence in St. Louis were released without being charged because police haven't had time to submit the necessary evidence, according to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
A police spokesperson tells KMOX, "The events of this weekend were unprecedented and occurred throughout many different locations ... and thorough and comprehensive investigations of this magnitude take time to complete."
Those who were released can still be charged, the spokesperson says.
The release of the 36 people arrested after four officers were shot, stores were looted and one was set on fire, drew a strong rebuke of Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner from Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt. Gardner issued this video response.
The department spokesperson says the goal is to present all the cases to the circuit attorney's office with all the evidence needed to have charges issued.
Here's the statement from police:
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt called out Gardner on Twitter this week, claiming that "every single one of the St. Louis looters and rioters arrested were released back onto the streets." Gardner released a statement about the claim, saying "a few cases" were referred to her office, but they "need essential evidence from the police."
The St. Louis area has seen multiple nights of violent standoffs with police, looting and destroying local businesses, and buildings set on fire by. The peak came on Monday night, into early Tuesday morning which left four officer shot, one retired police captain murdered, 55 businesses damaged or looted and 25 people arrested. A total of 36 arrests were made by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department on Sunday and Monday nights.