Police shooting sets off fiery Chile protests
A video circulated widely on social media showed an officer shooting toward the feet of the man, who was carrying and sometimes waving what appeared to be two blunt machetes used in his performance
The shooting of a street juggler in southern Chile set off protests over alleged police violence in the country's capital on Saturday. Angry demonstrators could be seen advancing on police officers in downtown Santiago.
Police used water cannon to disperse the protesters. Some of the participants carried juggling batons, in a show of solidarity with Francisco Martinez Romero, the 27-year-old who was killed.
Also Saturday, several buildings were set ablaze in the southern tourist town of Panguipulli. Police said Romero resisted police at a routine identity check on Friday.
A video circulated widely on social media showed an officer shooting toward the feet of the man, who was carrying and sometimes waving what appeared to be two blunt machetes used in his performance.
After a moment, he leaped out and rushed toward the officer.
Several shots were fired and the man collapsed in the street.
A local judge ordered the officer, who was not identified, held for investigation for two days.
The video angered some in the country, which has seen repeated controversies over allegations of police brutality against protesters in recent years.
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