Protests broke out Sunday in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, following the shooting death of 37-year-old Alton Sterling at the hands of police. Protesters were met with a heavily armed response from the Louisiana State Police and local police and sheriff’s departments. Officers deployed a long-range acoustic device to disperse the crowd and ultimately arrested at least 48 protesters.

The display and use of military-level equipment echoes the response to the 2014 Ferguson, Missouri, protests that followed the fatal police shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown.

Police in riot gear in Baton Rouge on Sunday July 7. Almost a week after fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling last week, At least 48 people had been were taken into custody by midnight Sunday,
Law enforcement officers don riot gear Sunday in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, almost a week after fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling. At least 48 people had been taken into custody by midnight Sunday. Credit: Julie Dermansky for Reveal
Credit: Julie Dermansky
Protesters have a standoff with the Baton Rogue police in Baton Rouge on Sunday, July 10, 2016. 6 days following the Alton Sterling shooting.
Protesters have a standoff with police Sunday in Baton Rouge. Credit: Julie Dermansky for Reveal
Credit: Julie Dermansky
Police in riot gear in Baton Rouge on Sunday July 7. Almost a week after fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling last week, At least 48 people had been were taken into custody by midnight Sunday,
Law enforcement officials wear riot gear during protests over the police shooting death of 37-year-old Alton Sterling. Credit: Julie Dermansky for Reveal
Credit: Julie Dermansky
Protesters have a standoff with the Baton Rogue police in Baton Rouge on Sunday, July 10, 2016. 6 days following the Alton Sterling shooting. Aproximaetly 48 people had been were taken into custody by midnight Sunday, The couple pictured were both arrested when the police stormed the property they were on.
The couple shown here were arrested Sunday when police stormed the property they were on during protests over Alton Sterling’s shooting death. Credit: Julie Dermansky for Reveal
Credit: Julie Dermansky
The Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) used in crowd control in Baton Rouge, Louisiana today. After a fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling last week, there have been multiple protests. At least 48 people had been were taken into custody by midnight Sunday,
A long-range acoustic device is used for crowd control. Credit: Julie Dermansky for Reveal
Credit: Julie Dermansky
Person being arrested. After a fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling last week, there have been multiple protests. At least 48 people had been were taken into custody by midnight Sunday,
A young man is arrested during protests over the fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling. Credit: Julie Dermansky for Reveal
Credit: Julie Dermansky
The Baton Rogue police stand in a formation in Baton Rouge on Sunday, July 10, 2016. 6 days following the Alton Sterling shooting, the police areseted Aproximaetly 48 people had been were taken into custody by midnight Sunday,
Baton Rouge police stand in a formation. Credit: Julie Dermansky for Reveal
Credit: Julie Dermansky
Person being arrested in Baton Rouge. After a fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling last week, there have been multiple protests. At least 48 people had been were taken into custody by midnight Sunday,
A young woman is arrested during protests in Baton Rouge. Credit: Julie Dermansky for Reveal
Credit: Julie Dermansky
Nadia Salazar arrested on Government Street yesterday. Protesters took to the streets after a sanctioned march and rally yesterday. After making an attempt to shut down the interstate the police arrested 48 people including Salazar.
Nadia Salazar is arrested on Government Street in Baton Rouge. Protesters took to the streets after a sanctioned march and rally and attempted to shut down Interstate 110. Credit: Julie Dermansky for Reveal
Credit: Julie Dermansky
Children on the steps of the Louisiana State Capitol Building during a rally on Sunday, July 10, 2016. About 1000 people turned out to a rally and march in Baton Rouge, LA in response to the police killing of Alton Sterling.
Children hold a sign in front of the Louisiana State Capitol during a rally Sunday. About 1,000 people turned out to a rally and march in Baton Rouge in response to the police killing of Alton Sterling. Credit: Julie Dermansky for Reveal
Credit: Julie Dermansky

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Sam Ward is a former senior digital producer for Reveal, where he oversees the web team. He has years of experience producing creative digital media projects for Oregon Public Broadcasting, PBS, ITVS and the Smithsonian, and he has managed projects for funders such as the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Education and Annenberg Media. He graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. Ward is based in Reveal's Emeryville, California, office.