Riot police secure City Hall. (Brandi Stafford photo) | ZOOM |

        City Hall became a de facto prison Tuesday night, with lawmakers locked down inside and protesters turning the streets into battle zones.

        For several hours, city employees and council members were asked to stay behind locked doors at 801 Plum Street as reports of mayhem trickled in via radios and television.

        Outside, double-parked police cars created a virtual barricade around the building. Police officers and public safety officials passed the word from office to office to remain inside with windows closed.

        “This is crazy,” said Councilman John Cranley. “It's a sad day for the city, a sad day.”

        As reports drifted in that protesters were nearing city hall, council aides and other city employees scampered to move cars out of the open parking lot across from city hall.

        Questions were often a lot more plentiful than answers. On the third floor, council members stood outside in hallways wondering if rocks could be thrown that high. Other city employees questioned if they would be able to leave to pick up children or if city streets were safe.

        “This has never happened before that I can recall,” said veteran City Clerk Sandy Sherman as he delivered papers to the city manager's office.

        Even as it became clear the protests would remain several blocks north of city hall, employees did not immediately leave the building.

        “Are you alright? Is everything OK in there?” a team of police officers asked as they patrolled city hallways.

        Inside the mayor's office, city spokeswoman Gina Ruffin Moore fielded calls from several national news networks: CNN, ABC, the Black Entertainment Television and Associated Press.

        City Manager John Shirey, who refused to discuss the events of the day, met with several department heads, including the police chief and directors of building, housing and public safety among others.

        In the mayor's office, city lawyers discussed what would happen if the mayor declared a state of emergency. He also decided to cancel today's city council meeting.

        “Obviously this is a very tragic situation,” said Councilman Pat DeWine. “There is no question that the state of police-community relations is not good in this city.”

Map: Where violence occured
Photo gallery
Main report on Tuesday's violence
Initial findings may not support officer's actions
Council locked up in City Hall
Blacks, whites vent on radio
Brother's whispers resound amid madness
Rioting not the way, leaders say
Police try to go by the 'book'
Public Safety Department may be abolished
Racial strife not new to city
Donations for Thomas family