Pete Buttigieg Leaves Campaign Trail After Fatal Police Shooting. Reality Rears Its Head.

In one of his only heated replies of the night, Mr. Buttigieg nearly shouted, “Of course black lives matter.”

“Fire your cops!” a man answered.

“What matters about a black life to you, Mayor Pete!” a woman shouted.

Michael Patton, president of the South Bend N.A.A.C.P., who stood quietly aside, praised the mayor, a Rhodes Scholar who is mostly known as a whiz kid versed in data and policy, for displaying empathy to both the Logan family and the police officer who shot him, Ryan O’Neill.

“I think we saw the human side of the mayor,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Patton told CNN that Mr. Buttigieg had his endorsement for president. “He’s led our community, South Bend, well, and I believe, I have full confidence he could lead our nation as well,” he said.

After nearly an hour, the group of about 100 set off on a march to the County-City Building downtown, which houses the 14th-floor mayor’s office. Mr. Buttigieg, in suit pants, a white shirt and a blue tie, walked at the head of one group, while across the street other marchers shouted profanities about the police. Emotions cooled somewhat by the time the crowd reached City Hall.

“I want you to know we’re serious about fixing this,” the mayor told the crowd. He promised new policies would be developed and implored people to attend a town hall event he would lead.

“You’ve got to show up, not just online,” he said. “And when you show up, you will be heard.”

There was some applause.