Officer Roach had been charged with two misdemeanors for shooting unarmed Thomas once in the chest after he was chased down by 12 cops to an abandoned building. The cops claimed they chased Thomas because he was wanted for failing to appear in court for 14 misdemeanor charges, 12 of them traffic violations, including one for not wearing a seat belt.

Chanting "No Justice, No Peace," and carrying signs reading "Stop Police Brutality" outraged community residents demonstrated in the Downtown area and in the Black community of Over-the-Rhine. More than 100 people gathered at a prayer-vigil at the New Prospect Baptist Church that night.

"Simply stated, this city must get control of the streets," said Cincinnati mayor Luken. "We must send a clear signal of who is in charge. We must send a clear signal that law and order is the rule and anything else won't be tolerated," he added.  
 
 
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