Missouri governor says ‘criminals’ and ‘thugs’ are hijacking protests

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Gov. Mike Parson expressed outrage Tuesday over continuing violence stemming from civil unrest in Missouri's cities.

Parson, speaking at his daily briefing in the Missouri Capitol, said he agrees that changes need to be implemented after the death of George Floyd, a black man who died in Minneapolis while a white officer had his knee on Floyd's neck.

Watch a replay of the briefing in the player below.

"We have to change our ways of this society," Parson said. "George Floyd should have never died the way he died. He should not."

Parson said "criminals" and "thugs" were hijacking peaceful protests in cities such as Kansas City and St. Louis, where violence has erupted after sundown during massive demonstrations. Four St. Louis police officers were shot Monday night during demonstrations. A retired officer was also killed protecting his pawnshop from looters.

In Kansas City, police used tear gas on protesters and said objects were thrown at officers.

The Missouri National Guard and Missouri State Highway Patrol are assisting local agencies in the response to the unrest. Guard members and patrol troopers were in Jefferson City to monitor protests there on Monday.

Parson said he is committed to using state resources to quell violence, including the approximately 1,000 Guard troops he has activated.

Missouri Department of Public Safety Director Sandy Karsten said a highway patrol trooper's riot helmet was hit by a bullet while he was driving to a scene to help local police in St. Louis.

Patrol troopers and National Guard troops were in Jefferson City, St. Louis, Springfield and other areas monitoring the unrest Monday, Karsten said.

Karsten read a statement from the Missouri Police Chiefs Association saying Floyd's killing is the "degradation" of the profession.

Karsten said she was in Jefferson City for the protests Monday.

"As I interacted with demonstrators they were vocal but they were peaceful," she said. "Some taunted the officers they encountered, but they were exercising free speech."

Parson said he met with civic leaders in St. Louis earlier Monday to talk about the unrest and he pledged another meeting with activists that has not been scheduled.

When asked by a reporter whether he had specifics about how to bring about the changes demanded by protesters, Parson said he hopes to talk about those ideas during the meeting.

Parson said he also discussed meeting with the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis to talk about their policy priorities.