1989 Miami riot
Part of Race riots in Miami
DateJanuary 16–19, 1989
(3 days)
Location
Overtown and Liberty City neighborhoods, Miami, Florida
Caused byPolice shooting; general frustration
MethodsRiot, property destruction, looting
Lead figures

William Lozano

Clement Lloyd, Allan Blanchard

Casualties and losses
Lozano tried for manslaughter and acquitted. 3 police officers injured
2 fatalities: Lloyd and Blanchard; 7 injured;[1]

The 1989 Miami riot was sparked after Miami Police Department (MPD) officer William Lozano shot Black motorcyclist Clement Lloyd on January 16, 1989. Lloyd, 23, was fleeing from another MPD officer who was chasing him for an alleged traffic violation. Lozano was on foot investigating an unrelated incident, heard about the situation on his police radio and later stated the motorcycle "veered toward him". Lozano fired a shot at the motorcycle, striking Lloyd in the head and killing him instantly. The motorcycle crashed into an oncoming car, injuring two occupants. Lloyd's passenger, Allan Blanchard, 24, died the following day from his injuries. Several Black witnesses stated that Lozano walked almost to the center of the street with his handgun and poised ready to shoot for several seconds as the motorcycle approached.[2] Rioting began almost immediately after the shooting in Overtown,[3][2] and on the following day in Liberty City, both predominantly Black neighborhoods of Miami, and continued until January 19 when the Chicago Bulls including star player Michael Jordan played a scheduled game in Overtown against the Miami Heat, who were in their inaugural season.[2][4] Schools were closed and police cordoned off a 130-block area and teargassed rioting crowds.[1]

Lozano was convicted of manslaughter; it was not until 2015, when Nouman Raja was charged in the shooting of Corey Jones, that another Florida law enforcement officer was sentenced for an on-duty shooting.[5] However, Lozano was granted a new trial, on the basis that the trial should not have been held in Miami, because of racial tensions, and that the prosecution should not have been allowed to introduce evidence about police procedures and Lozano's training.[6] In overturning Lozano's conviction, the appeals court argued that the jury in his trial had been influenced by fears that failing to convict would lead to further unrest.[7] A new trial was held in Orlando, Florida, and Lozano was acquitted.[6]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Police Shooting Sparks Riot in Miami". Harvard Crimson. January 18, 1989. Retrieved 2019-05-12.
  2. 1 2 3 The Metropole article
  3. ↑ Wakefield, Rebecca (June 30, 2005). "Changing Times". Miami Herald. Retrieved 2017-12-23.
  4. ↑ Marquez, Myriam (January 27, 1989). "Miami Riots An Unexpected Slap In The Face, And Well-deserved". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2017-12-23.
  5. ↑ "Former South Florida Officer Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Killing Black Motorist". WTVJ. April 25, 2019. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  6. 1 2 Ovalle, David (December 6, 2014). "Miami's last cop shooting conviction, 25 years ago, left legal legacy". Miami Herald.
  7. ↑ "Heavy burden for jurors in case of George Floyd's death". Politico. Associated Press. March 28, 2021. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
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