Residents in the Clair Mel community protested -- for a third straight night -- over the shooting death of an unarmed black man by a sheriff's deputy.

  • 5 people were arrested during demonstrations Thursday
  • Lavonia Riggins was shot, killed Tuesday
  • Pastors, community leaders say protests must be peaceful

The sheriff has started meeting with community leaders, trying to assure them the investigation will be transparent. But some residents aren't buying it.

"(The) only thing we asking the sheriff's department to do is to come forward and talk to us," one protester said. "To let us know, why?"

Lavonia Riggins was killed Tuesday when a SWAT team was serving a drug-related search warrant at his house. A deputy fired one shot, and investigators later found that Riggins was unarmed.

Friday's protests saw residents blocking roads, and at least one crash was caused. This followed Thursday night, when rocks were thrown, street signs were knocked down and trash was set on fire.

Five people were arrested Thursday.

“You perceived him as an immediate threat,” one of the protesters said. "If you perceive me as an immediate threat right now, is it my clothes, the color of my skin, my hat? I don't understand this, and until we get some kind of answers, I don't know what to tell you."

The Hillsborough County sheriff's office is still investigating.

Levonia Riggins, seen here from an April 2015 arrest, was shot once by Deputy Caleb Johnson during an attempt to serve a search warrant Tuesday morning. (Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office)

"The decision is going to be a difficult one to be made,” Col. Donna Lusczynski said. "The deputy's perception of his threat and what was made in a split second."

The deputy is on administrative leave, which is standard practice in an officer-involved shooting. The sheriff’s office said deputies had seen weapons in the house before and that Riggins made sudden movements before the deputy shot.

Riggins' friends feel like he was targeted and that there is a strong lack of trust.

"Everybody wants answers," Jermunte Harvey said. "If you hide stuff in the dirt, it's going to come to light eventually. Always, with anybody, it's going to come up."

Black pastors and community leaders are urging people to be patient. They said violence isn't the answer.

"It does not serve anyone good when you go out and you destroy property, especially in your own neighborhood," said pastor Thomas Scott.

Protesters don't plan to stop. Some said they'll try to keep it peaceful but they're also determined to speak their peace.

The people arrested Thursday were charged with inciting a riot.