As trooper makes court appearance in motorist’s shooting, supporters, detractors briefly face off [Video]

Arriving by the busload, hundreds of people filled the Minneapolis courthouse Monday morning in a show of solidarity for Minnesota state trooper Ryan Londregan, briefly clashing with a smaller but vocal contingent demanding justice for the motorist he shot and killed last summer.

Wearing burgundy T-shirts with the slogan “Trooper Londregan is innocent,” the group of off-duty law enforcement members and other supporters recited a prayer in the atrium of the Hennepin County Government Center and cheered when Londregan walked by on his way to court.

“I can’t begin to comprehend what he and his family are going through,” said Gina Loperfido, who stood by the rotating glass doors in the rotunda clutching a homemade sign saying, “We ♥ you” — a last message she hoped Londregan might see on his way up to the courtroom.

Londregan appeared Monday for an omnibus hearing related to charges of murder, manslaughter and …