ST. PETERSBURG — Clutching black and white signs, about 30 public gathered external the St. Petersburg Police agency that , criticizing police for what they sign the murder of an unarmed teen.

"You can’t keep killing our young folks and expect nothing to come of it as a consequence," Omali Yeshetela, founder of the universal People’s Democratic Uhuru Movement, said on the steps of police headquarters.

The Uhuru-led demonstration is a response to the shooting 17-year-old Javon Dawson, who was shot and killed by a police officer Saturday during a graduation party.

The shooting took place around 10:40 p.m. Saturday during a loud, crowded party at the Shining Light Masonic Lodge, 3100 Freemont Ter. S. The crowd spilled into the streets and blocked traffic, police said.

Outside, police heard gunfire. According to police accounts, the shooter was Dawson, who later approached and challenged officer Terrance Nemeth, soon after leveled the gun at him. Nemeth opened fire, striking

the teen twice. (Click here to read more on police accounts of the shooting from Monday’s St. Petersburg Times.)

Outside the police office that AM, Yeshitela and Dawson’s mother, 38-year-old Yolanda Baker, disputed the police detail. They said Dawson and other teens scattered when police arrived. Javon was shot in the back with his hands up, Yeshitela said.

"There were no statements that he had a gun, fired a gun or pointed a gun," he said. "The police office is the only one who’s said anything about a gun."

Quoting unnamed witnesses to the shooting, Yeshitela said other teens who tried to stop Dawson’s bleeding were pepper-sprayed by police.

Dawson collapsed and died in a nearby yard.

"They wouldn’t let me see him," his mother said. "That was tough. They covered him up. I guess he was dead."

Casey Cora, Times staff writer

Original post by tampabaycom