[WARNING: This post contains some strong language]
Our own Julio Rosas is on the ground to cover the chaos that is engulfing the city of Minneapolis. Protests have erupted here and across the country over the horrific death of George Floyd. Floyd was arrested on a forgery charge, placed in handcuffs, and then an officer placed his knee on his neck for nearly ten minutes. Floyd is heard begging with police that he couldn’t breathe.
'SICKENING': FBI investigates death of black man in Minneapolis after video shows police officer kneeling on his neck - https://t.co/8oCjwOm4Xw pic.twitter.com/JI2JY5EHp1
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) May 26, 2020
All four officers involved were fired. Yet, what happened last night was anything but justice for Floyd. This is an outrageous incident. The video footage is ghastly but burning down the AutoZone and looting en masse does nothing to address this situation. You all saw footage of the Target that was virtually cleared out. One looter appears to have been shot by a pawn shop owner.
BREAKING: Suspected looter reportedly shot dead by pawn shop owner during riots in Minneapolis, investigation is ongoing - @StribJany
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) May 28, 2020
pic.twitter.com/mYKGd9LaOH
Rosas documented the conditions on the ground throughout the day and found that the looting activity has not decreased. Of course, Black Lives Matter activists are there and based on reports from Rosas, they’re trying to stop the looting.
For those asking where the cops are, they are across the street protecting the 3rd precinct police building from a large crowd that's right outside. pic.twitter.com/k2PKNKSpdO
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) May 28, 2020
Someone, who looks like a member of Antifa, is cutting through the fencing around the 3rd precinct's police building. pic.twitter.com/5g1rZw8Xgv
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) May 28, 2020
A car is on fire in the Target's parking lot. pic.twitter.com/TUJdKrTuYA
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) May 29, 2020
??????Things have escalated as Minneapolis police moved in and rioters are starting to throw bottles and other items at the cop cars, resulting in police responding with tear gas and pepper spray. pic.twitter.com/GrZYBhG6yw
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) May 28, 2020
Looted tobacco store near the third precinct's police building is also destroyed. pic.twitter.com/kpokxS93w7
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) May 28, 2020
Crowd outside the the third precinct's police building chants, "Fuck the police! Fuck 'em!" pic.twitter.com/Dv51eVkkmM
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) May 28, 2020
"From what I've seen, there are three groups of people that are out right now,” he said.
“There are Black Lives Matters protesters who are only interested in peacefully protesting, there are those who are part of the protest and also have participated in the looting, and there are those who are just interested in looting the nearby stores and rioting against police,” he added. A lot of this he documented on his Twitter account.
Rosas added, “I have seen Black Lives Matter protesters repeatedly tried to stop rioters from causing trouble. However, the rioters appear to outnumber those who are just interested in peacefully protesting.”
As nightfall descends on Minneapolis, it seems that the looting and other felonious activity will continue. The city has asked for the National Guard to be deployed, but let’s not forget that Guard units were dispatched to Baltimore after the Freddie Gray died in police custody. It was still intense.
Rosas was even caught in the fray, being shot with a pepper ball by police. He said he was lying on a hill as law enforcement approached a group of rioters hurling objects at police; Rosas was nearby. He had his hands up and he was still hit by police.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice are investigating this matter, with President Trump calling this a top priority.
At my request, the FBI and the Department of Justice are already well into an investigation as to the very sad and tragic death in Minnesota of George Floyd....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 27, 2020
....I have asked for this investigation to be expedited and greatly appreciate all of the work done by local law enforcement. My heart goes out to George’s family and friends. Justice will be served!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 27, 2020
UPDATE: Rosas was interviewed on Fox News' Ingraham Angle tonight. As the media spot concluded, the situation around him was rapidly devolving. Stay safe, man.
About to be on Laura Ingraham's show as the situation in Minneapolis devolves into a third night of riots outside the third precinct's building.
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) May 29, 2020
Watch Townhall's @Julio_Rosas11 reporting live from Minneapolis, MN w/ @IngrahamAngle. pic.twitter.com/SrS6kGW1nK
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) May 29, 2020
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) May 29, 2020
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) May 29, 2020
Rioters have formed a makeshift barricade so that they can have cover as they continue to throw objects at police. Police continue to respond with tear gas and flashbangs. pic.twitter.com/xng1oPvGpy
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) May 29, 2020
UPDATE II: Minneapolis Police HQ in 3rd Precinct has been evacuated, overrun by rioters. Where is the National Guard?
These were taken in the 3rd precinct's parking lot after police abandoned the building. Trying to get video up but my data is terrible in this area. pic.twitter.com/oLiwk09mn6
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) May 29, 2020
This is the moment when Minneapolis police officers abandoned the 3rd precinct building. Rioters chased them as they left and continued to throw objects at the police vehicles. pic.twitter.com/KoxAAYiUIN
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) May 29, 2020
UPDATE III: National Guard supposedly set to deploy 500 troops, which doesn't seem like it will be enough. The city is in total chaos. Police and firefighters have reportedly been told to stand down and residents are fleeing.
MINNEAPOLIS POLICE & FIREFIGHTERS TOLD TO STAND DOWN AS RIOTERS LOOT & BURN THE CITY; RESIDENTS NEAR CHAOS ARE FLEEING THE CITY
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) May 29, 2020
We have activated more than 500 soldiers to St. Paul, Minneapolis and surrounding communities. Our mission is to protect life, preserve property and the right to peacefully demonstrate. A key objective is to ensure fire departments are able to respond to calls.
— MN National Guard (@MNNationalGuard) May 29, 2020
UPDATE IV: Julio has covered many protests, some with very hostile crowds. He's never seen anything like what he's witnessing in Minneapolis.
I've covered many protests/riots in my short time working in the media and I can say none of them (Charlottesville, D.C., Portland) comes close to what I'm seeing in Minneapolis right now.
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) May 29, 2020
Friend just sent me this: The view of Minneapolis from across the bridge in Hudson, WI.
— Alec Kinsky (@AlecKinsky) May 29, 2020
40 miles away.
Insane. pic.twitter.com/TBoqV8yUx0
This is the scene in #Minneapolis as rioters ransacked & set fire to a police station; no cops to be seen in the area
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) May 29, 2020
pic.twitter.com/H70PSwRp0J
We're hearing unconfirmed reports that gas lines to the Third Precinct have been cut and other explosive materials are in the building.
— City of Minneapolis (@CityMinneapolis) May 29, 2020
If you are near the building, for your safety, PLEASE RETREAT in the event the building explodes.
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