CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Downtown Charlotte is calming down early Thursday after a peaceful prayer vigil turned into a violent protest over the fatal police shooting of a black man.

Hotel and restaurant employees and security guards have started cleaning up dozens of broken windows.

But the city isn't entirely back to normal. Bank of America told its thousands of employees at its 60-story downtown skyscraper to stay home Thursday.

One man was critically injured in Wednesday's protest. City officials say police did not fire on the victim. Several reporters and people on the street were attacked as police in riot gear linked arms, marched down streets and fired tear gas.

Four police officers were injured during the protests.

North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory declared a state of emergency and promised to bring in the National Guard.

 

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