MINNEAPOLIS — Multiple fires and violence erupted in Minneapolis late Wednesday after a man's death in police custody sparked another night of protests.
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A fire was started at AutoZone. Some protesters attempted to extinguish it some posed for photos. pic.twitter.com/1EGwTPrUTq
— Carlos Gonzalez (@CarlosGphoto) May 28, 2020
According to The Associated Press, hundreds of protesters gathered near the Minneapolis Police Department's 3rd Precinct station Wednesday, two days after the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old restaurant security guard who lived in St. Louis Park. A 10-minute viral video of Floyd's arrest Monday showed a police officer holding his knee to Floyd’s neck. Floyd was later pronounced dead.
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Four officers involved in the incident were fired Tuesday. Authorities, including the FBI, are investigating the case.
Although a Minneapolis police spokesman said protests were generally peaceful Tuesday night, officers deployed tear gas and rubber bullets as violence broke out during demonstrations late Wednesday, the New York Times reported. Nearby, a man was shot and killed outside a pawn shop, according to the Star Tribune. Authorities, who have arrested a suspect in the case, said a looting incident had sparked the shooting.
WATCH: A massive fire near Lake Street and 26th Avenue South in Minneapolis engulfs a building, as neighbors frantically hose down nearby houses. #GeorgeFloyd 📷 : @MDVancleave pic.twitter.com/Cy882xpzVk
— Star Tribune (@StarTribune) May 28, 2020
On Thursday morning, at least five fires were burning in the city, including one at an AutoZone store, the Star Tribune reported. Looting also occurred at several businesses, including Cub Foods, Target and a liquor store, according to the newspaper.
The fire at AutoZone seems to have started back up; there are least five separate fires going, of varying sizes. pic.twitter.com/rTuzaG6g6k
— Libor Jany (@StribJany) May 28, 2020
Mayor Jacob Frey urged protesters overnight to "help in keeping the peace."
"Please, Minneapolis, we cannot let tragedy beget more tragedy," he tweeted early Thursday.
Please, Minneapolis, we cannot let tragedy beget more tragedy.
— Mayor Jacob Frey (@MayorFrey) May 28, 2020
The area along Lake has become unsafe. We are asking for your help in keeping the peace tonight. https://t.co/kRZuWGJY29
Protesters also took to the streets in other cities late Wednesday, including Los Angeles and Memphis, Tennessee.
– The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Cox Media Group