Protests erupted in downtown Tucson Monday night after a jury found former Border Patrol agent Lonnie Swartz not guilty on the Second Degree Murder charge of shooting through the border fence and killing 16-year-old Jose Antonio Elena Rodriguez.
Jurors could not come to an agreement on a verdict on the two lesser charges, voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter.
If they wish, prosecutors can retry Swartz on the lesser charges only.
Now at the top of the hour, the protest continues. They feel today’s verdict in the murder trial of Border Patrol Agent Lonnie Swartz is wrong, and they want to seek justice for Jose Antonio Elena Rodriguez. @kgun9 pic.twitter.com/rdMwN4gPqf
— Max Darrow (@MaxDarrowTV) April 24, 2018
Later in the night, protesters started to disrupt traffic near downtown.
Law enforcement personnel look on as protestors block on & off-ramps to I-10. Protest erupted after a jury found Border Patrol Agent Lonnie Swartz not guilty of 2nd degree murder @kgun9 pic.twitter.com/bPyQ45pLlh
— Max Darrow (@MaxDarrowTV) April 24, 2018
HAPPENING NOW: Protest blocking off I-10 off ramp and on ramp at Congress @kgun9 pic.twitter.com/VnxCsBW7Ap
— Max Darrow (@MaxDarrowTV) April 24, 2018
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, eastbound and westbound ramps at I-10 and Congress remain closed due to those protests.
CORRECTION: The eastbound and westbound ramps to the I-10 at Congress Street in Tucson remain closed due to a protest. https://t.co/11OZE4F26e
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) April 24, 2018
KGUN 9 On Your Side has a crew at the scene and will have the latest for you at 10 p.m. and always on kgun9.com.
