Peaceful rallies gave way to a third night of arson, looting, and vandalism in Minneapolis on Thursday as protesters vented their rage over the death George Floyd at the hands of police.
Libby Hogan
Civil unrest rages in Minneapolis
Peaceful rallies gave way to a third night of arson, looting, and vandalism in Minneapolis on Thursday (May 28) as protesters vented theirrageover the killing of black man George Floyd.
In a video widely circulated on social media Floyd can be seen gasping for breath while a white police officer knelt on his neck.
After nightfall on Thursday protesters broke into the Third Precinct police station and it on fire.
Helicopter footage showed flames near the main entrance and around the building.
In contrast to the night before police kept a low profile around the center of the unrest, just outside the station.
Protesters had earlier gathered outside the building, retreating after police fired tear gas and rubber bullets from the roof.
But then they reassembled and eventually attacked the building head on.
They set fire to the structure as police seemed to withdraw.
Protesters were later seen on the roof.
Later, a warning from the city of unconfirmed cut gas lines to the station and other potential explosives inside appealed people to retreat.
A car and at least two other buildings were also set ablaze.
Looters also returned for a second night to a nearby Target store, to make off with whatever remained inside.
The latest unrest in Minnesota's largest city went largely unchecked.
That's despite Governor Tim Walz ordering the National Guard to help restore order.
The Guard said it had quote "activated" more than 500 soldiers to assist local authorities, mainly the fire departments.
The four police officers involved in Floyd's death Monday (May 25) were fired from their jobs the next day.
However, protesters are demanding the officers be arrested and prosecuted.
Solidarity protests erupted on Wednesday (May 27) in Los Angeles and Thursday in Denver.
Minnesota's U.S. attorney, Erica McDonald, pledged a "robust and meticulous investigation" of Floyd's arrest and death.