Seventy-one people were arrested over the weekend after a peaceful protest in Cleveland turned violent following the acquittal of a white police officer involved in the deaths of two unarmed black people.

On Saturday, a Cleveland judge cleared Officer Michael Brelo in the deaths of Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams in 2012. The incident began on Nov. 29, 2012 when police pulled the couple over for a traffic violation, reports The New York Times. However, after the officer ran their plates, the couple took off, despite the fact that the car was not stolen.

Several cop cars chased them for 22 miles before they allegedly rammed their car into a police vehicle in a middle school parking lot. That's when 13 officers opened fire, spraying 137 bullets at the vehicle. Officer Brelo then decided to jump on top of their car and fire 15 more shots directly into their windshield.

At least one of his bullets hit each victim. However, the judge ruled that the 31-year-old cop was justified in opening fire because the victims may have still been alive when he was shooting at them and he feared for his life.

Following Brelo's acquittal, dozens of protesters took to the streets of downtown Cleveland throughout the day Saturday. Later on, fights broke out and bystanders were pepper-sprayed by protesters. There were also confrontations involving police. Other protesters were arrested for refusing to disperse.

Although Brelo has been found not guilty of two counts of voluntary manslaughter, he still faces administrative charges and will remain suspended without pay, reports The Associated Press.

Five other police supervisors have been charged with misdemeanor dereliction of duty for failing to control the chase. The five cops have pleaded not guilty and are expected to go to trial once a date is set.

The U.S. Department of Justice has also confirmed that they will investigate the case.