Crime & Safety
George Floyd Protest: Fire Breaks Out At Saint Paul Auto Shop
Police arrived at the scene in the Midway neighborhood of St. Paul Thursday afternoon.
SAINT PAUL, MN — A fire broke out at an auto shop in Saint Paul Thursday as demonstrators gathered in the city following the death of George Floyd, who died after a Minnesota police officer was seen on video placing his knee on the man's neck during an arrest while Floyd said he could not breathe.
The Saint Paul demonstration came after riots and looting in Minneapolis Wednesday night. Saint Paul police said people were throwing rocks, liquor bottles, and bricks at them in the area of the Target on University Avenue. The fire broke out at NAPA Auto Parts on University Avenue West.
"We are working to peacefully get the crowd to disperse," police said.
Find out what's happening in Saint Paulwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has also activated the National Guard to deal with the events.
At about 11:30 a.m., St. Paul officers discovered at least 50 people attempting to loot the Midtown Target, police spokesman Steve Linders told the Star Tribune. Additionally, a nearby Cub Foods and shoe store were damaged.
Find out what's happening in Saint Paulwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Police are asking people to "please avoid the area if possible." A photo from Pioneer Press reporter Dave Orrick shows damage to police cars in front of Target.
Star Tribune reporter Matt McKinney documented looters elsewhere on University Avenue.
I’m really afraid of what the rest of University Avenue looks like. The police are concentrated here at the Target and other businesses here have a bare bones police presence. I hope i parked far away enough to be able to exit safely
— Ricardo Lopez (@rljourno) May 28, 2020
As the crowd at Midway became more aggressive, Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter pleaded with people to stay home and "keep the focus on George Floyd."
Please stay home. Please do not come here to protest. Please keep the focus on George Floyd, on advancing our movement, and on preventing this from ever happening again. We can all be in that fight together.
— Melvin Carter (@melvincarter3) May 28, 2020
The situation in our city right now is heartbreaking & rapidly devolving. I’m angry/ sad as anyone & pushing for the officers who killed George Floyd to be arrested ASAP. Destroying places we rely on for jobs, food & medicine won’t help us prevent it from happening again.
— Melvin Carter (@melvincarter3) May 28, 2020
This is a developing news story. Stay with Patch as more information comes in.
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