Fires burned and looters struck Thursday after violent protests over the death of a black man in police custody rocked a Minneapolis neighborhood for a second straight night, with damage stretching for miles across the city and Mayor Jacob Frey appealing to the governor to activate the National Guard.
Amid the violence, a man was found fatally shot Wednesday night near a pawn shop. Asked to confirm reports that he had been shot by a store owner, police spokesman John Elder said that was “one of the theories.”
Pockets of looting continued Thursday at stores where windows and doors were smashed. A liquor store employee displayed a gun as he stood among the debris of broken bottles and beer cans inside the business. Dozens of buildings along Lake Street in Minneapolis were broken into, looted, and burned late Wednesday night and early Thursday morning. Authorities struggled to contain the riots.
Protesters began gathering in the early afternoon Wednesday near the city’s 3rd Precinct station, in the southern part of the city where 46-year-old George Floyd died on Memorial Day after an officer knelt on his neck until he became unresponsive. Protesters also skirmished with officers, who fired rubber bullets and tear gas in a repeat of Tuesday night’s confrontation.
On Thursday morning, smoke hung over Minneapolis and looters carried merchandise from a damaged Target store with no interference by police. Video of the store’s interior showed empty clothing racks and shelves and debris strewn about. Obscenities were spray-painted on the exterior of the store.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI in Minneapolis said Thursday they were conducting “a robust criminal investigation” into Floyd’s death and was making the case a priority. The FBI had already announced it was investigating whether Floyd’s civil rights were violated. The new announcement came a day after President Donald Trump tweeted that he had asked an investigation to be expedited.
Happening on lake street #minneapolisriots pic.twitter.com/rpYP65Ha3m
— riss👸🏻 (@marissaaahdz) May 28, 2020
— Ashley Zilka (@ashleyzilka) May 28, 2020
South Minneapolis pic.twitter.com/iSImtZs0OE
— 📺 Chris Egert 🎤 (@ChrisEgertTV) May 28, 2020
More fires all along this entire street. Unbelievable. @KSTP pic.twitter.com/OiEkt25BIr
— Ashley Zilka (@ashleyzilka) May 28, 2020
Massive fires erupt across the city of Minneapolis. We are reporting live from this scene all morning. The latest on @kstp pic.twitter.com/Vzd4GwopwU
— Ashley Zilka (@ashleyzilka) May 28, 2020
HiLake Liquors South Minneapolis in shambles – have seen at least 50 businesses that have been broken into pic.twitter.com/ATY36mSfxG
— 📺 Chris Egert 🎤 (@ChrisEgertTV) May 28, 2020
Apartment building and auto parts store burned down pic.twitter.com/67qUwczt7f
— 📺 Chris Egert 🎤 (@ChrisEgertTV) May 28, 2020
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5 Responses
Isn’t it interesting that when a certain race is a victim, it’s in the headlines, but when they’re the perpetrator, it’s never mentioned?
MOST OF THESE ANIMALS CAUSING DISTRUCTION ARE BLACKS
THATS WHY POLICE TREAT THEM DIFFERENT
Of course it’s in the name of Justice what else do you expect from a bunch of guys like this you’re a hundred percent right just their behavior is not so appropriate
oh..
murder is a good excuse for looting. Why not? Blame the police and the government and then rob the local hardware store, the local supermarket, the local 7/11 and make a quick profit for your self……