Who was David McAtee, the Kentucky restaurant owner shot dead amid George Floyd protests?

As protests and demonstrations continue across American and the world in the wake of the racially aggravated killing of George Floyd, disturbances have claimed another life.

David McAtee, the owner of a popular barbecue outlet in Louisville, Kentucky was killed on Monday (1 June) by police as they attempted to enforce curfew in the city with the National Guard.

Amongst the backdrop of ongoing civil unrest following the death of Floyd, protesters in Louisville have been demanding justice for Breonna Taylor, a black woman killed in her home in March.

Here’s everything you need to know:

Who was David McAtee?

McAtee, 53, was the owner of YaYa's BBQ in Louisville, known for offering meals to police officers on one of the most popular corners of the city’s West End area.

He was killed in the Dino's Food Mart parking next to his barbecue business at around 12:15am local time Monday morning.

McAtee spoke to Louisville photography blog West of Ninth in February of this year, telling the publication he hoped to one day buy the sought after lot at 26th Street and Broadway and build a restaurant.

"I gotta start somewhere, and this is where I’m going to start," he said. "It might take another year or two to get to where I’m going, but I’m going to get there."

McAtee was well respected in the community, with hundreds of mourners returning to the spot at which he was killed hours later to show their respects.

What happened?

Robert Schroeder, Deputy Chief of Police for Louisville, said McAtee was friendly to police officers: “Over the years he’s been a good friend to the police officers... frequently making sure our officers had a good meal on their shifts.”

McAtee's mother, Odessa Riley, said her son “left a great legend behind.

“He was a good person,” she said. “Everybody around him would say that. My son didn't hurt nobody. He didn't do nothing to nobody."