Protests, riots, a Confederate monument: 8 things that happened in Indianapolis this week

Much has happened in Indianapolis since Friday, May 29, when the protests that had been bubbling in other cities over racial injustices boiled over in our city. 

Here's a look at what happened this past week as Indianapolis enters its second weekend of protests in response to police killings of black Americans. 

Riots lead to damage, injuries

After many protesters left around 11 p.m. Friday, May 29, a group of more than 100 left Monument Circle and began blocking traffic at the intersection of West Market and North Illinois streets. Glass shattered, and tear gas hit the pavement. IndyStar does not know which happened first.

Officers used multiple volleys of tear gas and pepper balls to try to disperse crowds of people who lingered on city streets well past midnight.

Many businesses had shattered windows and glass doors. Graffiti on a broken window at Key Bank at Market Tower read, “I can’t use my bank account if I’m dead.” A CVS at the intersection of North Illinois and West Ohio streets was torched and looted. Other stores, including a jewelry store and a cellphone store, were also looted. Downtown Indy, the city's tourism arm, later estimated that more than 80 businesses were damaged between Friday and Saturday. 

An IMPD patrol car was vandalized, and fires were set in trash cans. Three police officers were injured, and one person sustained serious injuries while kicking in glass and was helped by an IMPD officer, officials said.

Two people killed 

On Saturday, more protests led to more rioting. A shooting that night claimed a man's life at Talbot and Vermont streets. He was later identified as 38-year-old Chris Beaty, who managed Indianapolis nightclubs and played football at Indiana University.

A second fatal shooting early Sunday at East Market and North Pennsylvania streets claimed the life of Dorian Murrell, 18. Tyler Newby, 29, was later arrested in the shooting.

"I don’t believe there's a single thing about young people shooting each other in our Downtown streets that does a single thing to advance the cause of justice," IMPD Police Chief Randal Taylor said. 

Indianapolis put on curfew

On Sunday, Mayor Joe Hogsett announced a countywide curfew that went into effect that night and into Monday morning. The curfew was extended into Monday and Tuesday nights.

Officers used force on Sunday, including at an outdoor worship service and against two women who were out past curfew. One video captured officers deploying canisters of tear gas on a group worshiping around 7 p.m. on Monument Circle, an hour before curfew. It's unclear what prompted that use of force. 

IndyStar journalists observed another crowd of protesters at the corner of North Meridian and East Washington streets, where police also were gathered. Officers deployed gas there before the crowd scattered. More gas was used that night as the city approached curfew. 

Curfews were reinstated for Friday and Saturday. 

Voters head to the polls 

, Many voters in Marion County put on their masks for Tuesday's primary election. They found hour-long lines, with some stretching around a whole building. 

The Election Day lines could have been worse as more than 500,000 Hoosiers had applied to vote by absentee ballot. 

Some voters told IndyStar they were motivated by the ongoing protests against police brutality against African Americans. Others, one way or another, said they were voting on the president's actions. Many wanted a say in two open congressional races. 

Arrest video goes viral 

IMPD's arrest of two women at the corner of North Pennsylvania and East Washington streets Sunday was recorded and shared widely on Twitter and Facebook.

The video begins with a male officer, who is white, holding one of the women, who is black, from behind. The officer's left arm is under her left arm and positioned near her chest.

She twists out of his grasp and takes a couple of steps away before being surrounded by a few other officers. Audible pops and several visible dust clouds indicate that officers fired pepper balls near the woman. Two officers strike her with batons until she falls to the sidewalk. 

One officer holds her there by placing his hand, holding a baton, against the back of her neck as her face presses against the pavement. A second woman, who is white, stands nearby, shouting: "Why her? Why her?" 

One officer rushes over to the second woman and, while shouting "back up," shoves her backward to the ground. She, too, is subdued by officers.

The video does not capture the moments prior to the officers using force or what precipitated the confrontation. IMPD said the incident is being investigated. 

Peaceful protests and hugs 

On Monday, the city braced for another night of protests. 

A group of approximately 200 people marched to the governor's residence at North Meridian and 46th streets, where they were met with a heavy police presence. A tense standoff ensued. 

But then the unexpected happened. One protester — later identified as Malik Muhammad — negotiated with officers, and the tension eased as he hugged an IMPD supervisor. The supervisor then joined the protesters for part of their march.

Later in the evening, Muhammad said he felt the two officers who walked with him were genuine, but he described it as "hella uncomfortable."

"I feel like it was a win because we grabbed attention to ourselves as peaceful protesters," he said. "If at any point in time they open up fire on us, nobody can deny we peacefully assembled and peacefully protested."

Protests have ended peacefully every day since.

Confederate monument to be removed

Hogsett announced Thursday that a monument dedicated to Confederate soldiers who died at a Union prison camp in Indianapolis will be removed from Garfield Park.

The monument was relocated a century ago from its original location, Greenlawn Cemetery, and will be dismantled by contractors in the coming days, officials said.

“Our streets are filled with voices of anger and anguish, testament to centuries of racism directed at Black Americans,” Hogsett said in a statement. “We must name these instances of discrimination and never forget our past — but we should not honor them."

More: What leaders have done or promised since fatal officer-involved shooting

The 35-foot monument was built in 1912 in Greenlawn Cemetery to commemorate 1,616 Confederate prisoners of war who died while imprisoned at Camp Morton in Indianapolis, according to IndyStar archives.

The monument was moved to Garfield Park in 1928. The remains were later moved to Crown Hill Cemetery, where a new monument stands near the graves. 

Use-of-force policy changes announced 

Hogsett announced Friday that an update to IMPD's use-of-force policy had been drafted. It's something protesters have demanded.

"The simple truth is this: We must hear the anguished cries of our black neighbors who were born into a system where, from the moment of birth, they are forced to bear the weight of over 400 years of oppression," Hogsett said. 

The drafted policy, last updated in 2016, is based on a California standard. It includes updated requirements for police to identify and warn people before using deadly force and clearly defined de-escalation requirements. It would also prohibit officers from firing into or from a moving vehicle and from applying choke holds. 

IndyStar reporters Ryan Martin, Vic Ryckaert and Chris Sikich contributed to this story. 

Contact IndyStar reporter Elizabeth DePompei at 317-444-6196 or edepompei@indystar.com. Follow her on Twitter: @edepompei.