LOUISVILLE, Ky. - On the fifth day of protests in Louisville, crowds had another death to deal with. David McAtee was the man who died around midnight Monday morning, shot by officers. Officials claim they were returning fire at some other people near McAtee's restaurant who shot at them. That was at 26th St. and Broadway. Groups gathered to protest peacefully throughout that day Monday. However, at Mayor Greg AFischer's announcement to fire Police Chief Steve Conrad, at least one neighbor spread the word to be demonstrating for more than this ouster.
"They're killing black men, and they did it again here today," West End neighbor 'Neil' said of police. "When [the Mayor] fired [the police chief] he should've fired himself also," he told Spectrum News 1.
McAtee was beloved by neighbors and many police. He often fed officers and the homeless at his restaurant, YaYa's. People held signs and sang in his memory. Some spoke with police, embracing them at the scene where the shooting happened.
"I want peace between us," said protest organizer Emanuel Mitchell. "I want us to learn how to get along and take responsibility for our own actions. That's what I want to happen. A lot of people [are] afraid to say 'it was me. I was wrong. I messed up. You know, you're right.' A lot of us [are] afraid to say it, them and us," Mitchell referred to police and back to the group protesting.
The crowd cheered and chanted "whose house? Our house! Whose street? Our street!" when police finally rolled up the caution tape and left the scene Monday afternoon. Those who knew McAtee say he wasn't responsible for the shots fired at officers, that it was other people who had gathered in the area that police were trying to break up.
"He wasn't part of it. It shook me this morning, I got out of my bed and just came down here," McAtee's cousin Frank Wilson, Jr., said.
Those protesting are still promoting nonviolence, and for folks to adhere to the citywide curfew of 9 p.m. That's been extended through June 8.
"We can't afford to replace what they're getting ready to break if they commit violence," Mitchell said.