ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt is bashing St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner and claims "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.
A St. Louis police spokesperson tells KMOX, "Relative to the protest arrests, all 36 individuals have been released. Two individuals were released on summonses, and the remaining charges have dispositions of 'Pending Application of Warrant' (PAW) or 'Refused' for police follow up."
Sources tell KMOX that in addition to the two cases in which summonses were issued, eight cases have been presented to the Circuit Attorney. Gardner is asking police for more evidence before deciding on charges on those suspects. Police have not yet presented the other 26 cases for prosecution.
In a tweet, Schmitt claims all "looters and rioters" who were arrested have been released and blames the circuit attorney for it. The tweet includes part of a Facebook live where dozens of gunshots can be heard as St. Louis police vehicles drive through downtown St. Louis.
Gardner's spokesperson says that what Schmitt is claiming is inaccurate and Schmitt has not been in contact with the circuit attorney's office. Here is the full statement from Gardner:
Schmitt says Gardner still has time to do the right thing. He adds he will use his office's partnership with the US Attorneys office to make sure those who committed the crimes, will be brought to justice.