CHARLESTON — Five years after a riot erupted on King Street, merchants and the city are collaborating to keep the iconic shopping district safe and clean, even as repair bills go unpaid and one man wages an uphill legal battle over injuries he suffered during an attack.

On May 30, 2020, panic and mayhem swept King Street after nighttime violence followed peaceful daytime marches over the death of George Floyd. Rioters vandalized and looted scores of businesses, forcing shoppers and diners to flee or huddle for safety in the backroom of restaurants and stores. Police did not quell the unrest for hours, leading to angry complaints from the owners of businesses and properties that suffered damage and theft.

Broken glass, graffiti and fire damage were quickly cleaned up, but the riot cause

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