Ed Sheeran and U2 both cancelled their concerts over safety concerns as the protests first erupted on Friday.
Angry demonstrators first took to St Louis’ streets to protest the acquittal of Jason Stockley, who was found not guilty of murder in the shooting of Anthony Lamar Smith, following a police chase in 2011.
As it had on Friday and Saturday nights, Sunday’s protest started peacefully but turned violent with more 1,000 protesters than descending on the city.
St Louis police shared images of weapons sieged during the riots including guns and protective gear as protesters were arrested.
Police also confiscated plastic spray bottles containing an unknown chemical that was sprayed on officers, who had to be decontaminated.
St Louis police tweeted: “This is no longer a peaceful protest.
“Police continue to make arrests after property damage in Downtown St Louis.”
They later tweeted: “After giving multiple warnings to disperse, police are making numerous arrests.”
Ed Sheeran had been scheduled to perform at sold-out concert at Scottrade Centre on Sunday night – but protests sparked on Friday sparked security concerns for the British singer and his fans.
Mr Sheeran’s promotor Messina Touring Group said in a statement: “With the safety of the fans being of utmost concern, and after consulting with local officials, who could not fully commit to providing a sufficient amount of police and other city services support, we felt it was in everyone’s best interest to cancel Sunday night’s show.
“While we regret to have had to come to this decision, we do look forward to returning to St Louis as soon as Ed’s schedule will allow in 2018.”
On Friday, 33 people were arrested and 10 officers injured and violence flared up again on Saturday night when about 100 protesters, some holding bats or hammers, shattered windows and skirmished with riot police – resulting in at least nine arrests.
Mr Smith was shot in his car after Mr Stockley and his partner chased him over what police alleged was a drug deal.
Prosecutors had argued Mr Stockley planted a weapon in Smith’s car, but the judge ruled the gun belonged to Mr Smith.
The recent violence evokes similar memories of the riots which followed the 2014 shooting of a black teenager by a white officer in Ferguson, a suburb of St Louis.
The killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown by a white police officer who was not indicted gave rise to Black Lives Matter, a movement that has staged protests across the US.