Manuel Diaz shooting: 24 arrested in Anaheim clashes (VIDEO)

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A scrimmage line of police officers protect the streets surrounding Anaheim City Hall during a demonstration to show outrage for the fatal shooting of Manuel Angel Diaz, 25, at Anaheim City Hall on July 24, 2012 in Anaheim, California. Diaz was fatally shot on July 21 by an Anaheim police officer and has sparked days of protests by the angered community. (Jonathan Gibby/AFP/Getty Images)

The authorities remained on alert in Anaheim on Wednesday, after a fourth day of violent protests over the shooting of Manuel Diaz led to 24 arrests and several injuries, the Associated Press reported.

An estimated 500 demonstrators and 250 police were involved in the clashes, during which some protesters set fires, smashed windows and threw rocks at police officers. Officers used pepper balls and beanbag rounds against some of the violent protesters, said the AP.

The protests began in reaction to a weekend incident where a police officer reportedly shot an unarmed man as he was running away.

Two officers tried to approach three men on Saturday, and followed on foot when they fled, according to Anaheim police spokesman Sergeant Bob Dunn. One of the officers caught up to the suspect and shot the man, later identified as known gang member Manuel Diaz, according to NBC News. Diaz was later found to be unarmed.

Later on Sunday, in a separate incident, Anaheim police killed a man who was running from them and opened fire on them during a chase. NBC News said he was the fifth person to die in an officer-related shooting in the city this year.

More on GlobalPost: Anaheim police station stormed by protesters after fatal shooting

The protests on Tuesday turned violent when demonstrators stormed a City Council meeting where officials were discussing the shootings, said The Los Angeles Times.

The city leaders voted to have the US attorney's office investigate the shootings, said the AP. Protesters were peaceful until the crowd swelled and when people pushed against the windows, the police pushed them back.

"Fires broke out and officers brandishing shotguns guarded shops after protesters smashed the windows of at least six stores. A witness told Reuters protesters threw chairs through the windows of a Starbucks," said the Guardian.

The mayor of Anaheim, Tom Tait, said, "To the people in the city that are troubled about what happened. I'd like to tell you that I am committed to keeping the lines of communication open and to keep the process completely transparent," according to the Guardian.

Here is a video report of the protests, from NBC News:

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