( CNN ) -- A vigil for a teen who died in police custody turned violent in Durham , North Carolina , with riot police using tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd . At least six people were arrested at the Thursday night march to protest the death of 17-year-old Jesus Huerta , according to police . `` I could not be more proud of the restraint and professionalism demonstrated by our officers , '' Durham Police Chief Jose Lopez said in a statement to the media , adding that injuries to those marching were minimized because of his officers ' actions . `` There was a march . The peaceful intent did not exist . We used the best practices in law enforcement , '' he said at a news conference Friday . Huerta 's sister , Evelin Huerta , said a federal investigation is needed . `` The actions of the Durham Police Department , led by Chief Lopez , last night were a tried-and-true tactic to intimidate and spread fear in our community , '' she said . `` We call on Chief Lopez to resign immediately in light of his leadership that put dozens of armed police on the streets to scare residents and turned a memorial vigil into a war zone last night . We will not be intimidated by Chief Lopez and the Durham Police Department 's tactics . '' Protesters threw bottles and rocks at police officers and vandalized police property , Lopez said , defending his officers ' reaction to the vigil . The Durham Police Department says Huerta died on November 19 from a self-inflicted gunshot while handcuffed in the back of a police cruiser . The teen was being taken to the police station by Officer Samuel Duncan about 3 a.m. for a second-degree trespassing violation . The chief said at the news conference that gunshot residue tests were conducted on Huerta and the arresting officer , and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation `` found that Huerta was wearing gloves and that his gloves had a saturation of gunshot residue on it . Officer Duncan 's revealed that he had no gunshot residue on his hands , '' Lopez said . The gun used was not a police firearm , Lopez has said in the past , but state authorities are still investigating where the weapon came from , according to local media . Duncan is on paid administrative leave pending the investigation 's conclusion , local media reported . Huerta 's family , along with local activists , allege police foul play in the death of Huerta , who was affectionately called `` Chuy '' by his loved ones . Huerta 's family has submitted a formal petition to local authorities for archives into the investigation , according to local media . `` People can see that we actually support him and that we need justice for Durham because it 's not fair that this is happening , like the police is not giving us answers , '' Evelin Huerta told CNN affiliate WTVD . A separate vigil held last month by the family also turned violent and ended in arrests . The family has said it plans to hold a protest on the 19th of every month . `` Personally , I do n't believe one word of what the Durham Police Department has stated , '' local activist Lamont Lilly wrote in an article published shortly after Huerta 's death . `` It seems to me , and many others throughout the city , Durham police officers are simply covering their tracks with a concocted story that makes no physical or logical sense whatsoever . '' Between 150 and 200 Huerta supporters marched Thursday from Durham City Hall to the parking lot of police headquarters . Some carried banners that read , `` Fue Matado Por La Policia '' or `` Murdered By Police . '' Others in attendance alleged police brutality and the use of excessive force by officers at the vigil . `` They did n't really look like batons or night sticks , but they were thinner and longer and they were reaching over the banner , whacking people with them , '' protester David Kaplan told CNN affiliate WTVD . `` They were clearly upset with the fact that people were out expressing themselves and upset at the fact that it appears they murdered a 17-year-old child . '' At least one demonstrator suffered minor injuries , and no officers were injured , the police chief said . In a prepared statement , police said , `` Permits are required for such events , but police officials extended compassion to the family by allowing the event . Police officers made several efforts to contact event organizers to ensure a peaceful event , but event organizers refused to speak with the police . The march became violent after participants left police headquarters and returned to downtown . '' Images from the scene showed smoke billowing as riot police launched tear gas at the crowd . Some demonstrators wore masks to cover their faces . `` WTH Durham police ? # racerelations , '' Monique Vasquez said in a tweet about the clashes . She told CNN her office was near Thursday night 's incident . Responding to Spanish-language reporters at the news conference , Lopez said that as a Hispanic , he had trouble believing the allegations among the Hispanic community that Durham police unfairly target Latinos . The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation has looked into three deaths in five months involving Durham police officers , and two of those killed were Latinos , according to CNN affiliate WRAL . A similar case in July stoked skepticism in Jonesboro , Arkansas , when Chavis Carter , 21 , died from a close-range gunshot while handcuffed in the back of a police car .
NEW : Jesus Huerta 's father says a federal investigation is needed . The chief says he is proud of his officers ' restraint , professionalism at least . Jesus , 17 , died of a gunshot wound while riding in a police cruiser . Blood detected on Huerta 's gloves but not on officer 's hands , police say .