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Tampa Police clash with protestors

Posted at 11:24 PM, Sep 09, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-09 23:24:52-04

Two protesters were arrested, Friday evening, after authorities said they tried to get through a line of Tampa police officers, who were blocking access to busy Ybor City roads.

The demonstrators were marching through Ybor City in the name of Levonia Riggins. Last month, a swat team went into Riggins' home in Palm River, executing a search warrant.

According to the sheriff's office, they investigated Riggins for a month and during that time officers bought illegal narcotics from him.  Deputies said Riggins was in his bedroom, when they executed the search warrant, and that Deputy Caleb Johnson felt threatened when Riggins appeared to reach for his waistband. Riggins was shot once. He died at Tampa General Hospital.

MORE: Deputy-involved shooting in Palm River under investigation

Deputy Johnson is on paid administrative leave, waiting for an administrative review to be completed. The State Attorney's office is investigating as well.

"We're here to get this attention (brought) to this situation because apparently no one behind us in this building is hearing us and on one downtown is hearing us," one protestor said.

The people marching this afternoon said they want the sheriff to resign and the deputy to face a murder charge because of the death of Riggins.

They demanded answers from the sheriff's office. They walked to two gates, hoping someone would respond. HCSO Major Willie Parker answered some questions.

"We're not trying to hide anything. We're not trying to cover up anything," Major Parker said.

After another question he said, "At this time, I can't talk about the facts of the case or what's going on in the case other than what we have released already," Major Parker said.

Tampa police arrested two people during the protest. Jason Stuart Flores of St. Petersburg was charged with three counts of battery on a law enforcement officer and one count of resisting arrest without violence. Chardonnay Singleton of St. Petersburg was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest without violence.

Protestors said there will be more marches in the future.

MORE: Protesters shut down two Tampa intersections demanding justice for Lavonia Riggins

"More marches, more resistance, more standing up, (and) no more sitting down," the protestor said.