Minneapolis PD 3rd Precinct Set On Fire, Breached By Rioters
Update (23:15 ET): Protesters breached the 3rd Police Precinct where the the officers involved in the death of George Floyd were based. At one point bullets can be heard going off as the cameraman moves through the building.
LIVE VIDEO: The fire alarms just went off at the third precinct. There are fires everywhere. Ammunition is exploding. #minneapolisriots #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/kcTcFvsFSD
— Minneapolis Updates (@EgyptianWeeknd) May 29, 2020
The 3rd Precinct is burning to the ground. pic.twitter.com/QTdybRvNc0
— Keaon Dousti کیان (@KeaonDousti) 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
As fire and smoke filled the building, "Fuck The Police" could be seen written on the wall - one day after former NWA member Ice Cube added fuel to the fire after he tweeted a false picture of Derek Chauvin - the officer seen kneeling on George Floyd's neck - next to provocateur Jonathan Lee Riches wearing a "Make Whites Great Again" hat.
While the tweet remains despite being quickly debunked earlier in the day, Twitter eventually labeled it "Manipulated media" after it had gone viral.
A wolf in wolves clothing. The demons are among us. #Fightthecowards pic.twitter.com/UYw7zXNabQ
— Ice Cube (@icecube) May 27, 2020
The photo is “Johnathan Lee Riches” you’re making him very happy right now. In the past he’s pretended to be Adam Lanzas uncle at Sandy Hook, Jews for Trump days after shooting and he created a fake Covington page. Congrats @icecube you’ve been trolled. https://t.co/fE7mYnLFbd pic.twitter.com/aXtzN1J1r7
— Rosie memos (@almostjingo) May 27, 2020
The police have reportedly been told to stand down, according to Breaking911:
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
Minneapolis, MN 2020 pic.twitter.com/s5KuR4NOC6
— Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) May 29, 2020
Meanwhile, shots were fired in Denver, Colorado during a George Floyd protest, according to the Washington Post.
* * *
Update (22:20 ET): Unicorn Riot News says a massive fire is breaking out down the street from the 3rd Police Precinct.
More footage of the fire
Huge fire started again in Minneapolis near 3rd precinct #GeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/qEW2bmWwnV
— Sara Sidner (@sarasidnerCNN) May 29, 2020
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Update (22:10 ET): Unicorn Riot News is live streaming the Minneapolis riots this evening and into the overnight.
* * *
Update (21:05 ET): No signs of the Minnesota National Guard yet -- as large crowds gather around the 3rd Police Precinct on Thursday evening.

Protests are lighting cars on fire at the Target parking lot near the 3rd Police Precinct.

Video of one of the cars on fire.
Car on fire in Target parking lot. pic.twitter.com/R65pcaQfaj
— Carlos Gonzalez (@CarlosGphoto) May 29, 2020
Meanwhile, large crowds gather in downtown Minneapolis...
#HAPPENING NOW: Demonstrators are marching down Nicollet Mall in Downtown Minneapolis @KSTP ...many chanting “I can’t breathe” @KSTP pic.twitter.com/EMMKHPmeTp
— Ashley Zilka (@ashleyzilka) May 28, 2020
The protest in downtown Minneapolis tonight is massive.#BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/nuFPfe5IuT
— Joshua Potash (@JoshuaPotash) May 28, 2020
"Thousands chanting "all four" at a peaceful protest in downtown Minneapolis," tweeted Twitter handle Zach Boyden-Holmes.
Thousands chanting “all four” at a peaceful protest in downtown Minneapolis #Minneapolis #GeorgeFloydprotest pic.twitter.com/hlC9SHiNI7
— Zach Boyden-Holmes (@Boydenphoto) May 28, 2020
* * *
Update (19:40 ET): And this is what we've been warning about: protests are spreading to other cities. Twitter handle Habiba Choudhury records video of a crowd marching in NYC.
NEW: Protests for the lynching of George Floyd are happening in Union Square, NYC. Chants “No Justice No Peace.” Arrests are being made. Enough is enough.
— Habiba Choudhury (@HabibaChoudhu) May 28, 2020
We must transform our police departments nationally. #BlackLivesMater #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd
pic.twitter.com/xDUb9hKDIO
A group of protesters seen at Union Square in NYC.
Tonite in Union Square:
— NYC Revolution Club (@NYCRevClub) May 28, 2020
“How do we get out of this mess? Revolution Nothing Less?” #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd #BlackLivesMatter #GeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/efx1sf5OqS
More from Union Square:
"#BLM protest right now against police brutality and the murder of George Floyd. A bunch of people were arrested, cops are out everywhere along 14th Street and Union Square with the zip ties out," tweeted Twitter handle Michael Busch.
NYC protests are "heating up."
Protest in #NYC are heating up too. Is #Baltimore next 100 Holliday Street and 601 E. Fayette Street are hope you’re prepare. It can get ugly! #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd #GeorgeFloyd #stayalertstayalive #NYPD #BaltimorePolice #LawEnforcement #FirstResponders #globalsett 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/gBAuLMvnVJ
— Daniel Barahona🌐 (@GL0BALSETT) May 28, 2020
* * *
Update (19:04 ET): Heading into the third night of what is likely going to be continued social unrest in Minneapolis following the death of George Floyd, Governor Tim Walz has signed an executive order to activate the Minnesota National Guard.
Walz said the purpose of the National Guard was "to protect people, to protect people safely demonstrating, and to protect small business owners."
"The anger and grief of this moment is unbearable. People deserve to be seen. People deserve to be heard. People deserve to be safe," he said in a statement. "While many Minnesotans are taking extensive safety precautions while exercising their right to protest, the demonstration last night became incredibly unsafe for all involved."
Walz's office told ABC News that National Guard units would work with local government agencies, providing them with personnel and equipment to mediate social unrest.
FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul's Sarah Danik tweets that protesters have already begun to clash with police in the late afternoon.
Protesters are damaging police cars in broad daylight -- these people don't give a sh*t (and when someone doesn't give a sh*t -- as we saw last night -- that's when things can spiral out of control -- hence why the National Guard has been called up).
Any squad cars are targets at this point - they are getting decimated pic.twitter.com/c4kUxrg31R
— Sarah Danik (@Sarah_Danik) May 28, 2020
"We all want justice but not sure to this is the way to do it... we all have the same blood in our veins," a young black millennial tells Danik.

Police shoot tear gas into the crowd.

"Fuck the police" can be heard in the video as a squad of riot control cops attempted to disperse a crowd who were staking out "restaurants and stores," said Danik.
More Police are now on scene near the Target working to disperse crowds that have gathered at nearby restaurants and stores - this is the Noodles and Co on University pic.twitter.com/8kYTCVl4t5
— Sarah Danik (@Sarah_Danik) May 28, 2020
Star Tribune reporter Ryan Faircloth tweeted, "Crowd near midway Target in St. Paul is now smashing the windows of nearby Verizon, Noodles and Co. and Vitamin Shoppe."
Crowd near midway Target in St. Paul is now smashing the windows of nearby Verizon, Noodles and Co. and Vitamin Shoppe pic.twitter.com/mOEnebW8hm
— Ryan Faircloth (@RyanFaircloth) May 28, 2020
Faircloth posts another view outside the Vitamin Shoppe, showing police rolling up in a SWAT van to prevent protesters from causing any more damage.
Crowd outside this St. Paul shopping center now scattering as officers pull up pic.twitter.com/zAOkW02wcn
— Ryan Faircloth (@RyanFaircloth) May 28, 2020
Unicorn Riot News provides more color into the ongoing "stand-off" between protesters and police around the Vitamin Shoppe.
In Saint Paul, #Minnesota there is a stand-off happening between the people and SPPD (with some Roseville cruisers also in the area).
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) May 28, 2020
Midway businesses such as Verizon, Noodles & Co., The Vitamin Shoppe have had their windows smashed. pic.twitter.com/aPSizw5obr
In anticipation of more riots, stores in the downtown Minneapolis boarded-up windows.

More local shops boarding up windows ahead of tonight.

Here are several live feeds of the protests:
MINNEAPOLIS ON FIRE - DAY 3 - GEORGE FLOYD RIOTS
Day 3 | MINNEAPOLIS \ ST PAUL LIVE
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Update (10:21 ET): On Thursday morning, buildings are still on fire, and protesters are clashing with police.
5:40am in Minneapolis as fires continue to blaze pic.twitter.com/OHtYzSjXOa
— Tony Webster (@webster) May 28, 2020
Twitter user Tony Webster says looting continues this morning.
CVS in Uptown Minneapolis. Cars still arriving at 5:15am and taking stuff by the carload. pic.twitter.com/FU5ViRq3yl
— Tony Webster (@webster) May 28, 2020
Webster shows the extent of the damage from last night's chaos:
Sprinkler system gushing at the Target entrance, 5:45am pic.twitter.com/UohMnEppQy
— Tony Webster (@webster) May 28, 2020
Entire strip mall looted
Schools, Dollar Tree, laundromat. 5:50am pic.twitter.com/mror4o9PK9
— Tony Webster (@webster) May 28, 2020
Cub Foods grocery store destroyed
Cub Foods grocery store, 5:55am. Sprinklers gushing here too. (Note for clarification that Cub Foods is different from Cup Foods, where George Floyd was killed.) pic.twitter.com/WR174xYG2F
— Tony Webster (@webster) May 28, 2020
Aldi supermarket likely destroyed
Aldi, 6:10am. Sprinklers on inside. pic.twitter.com/6AVQy1qktI
— Tony Webster (@webster) May 28, 2020
Fires continue to rage
Fire appears to be picking up at 27th Ave S & E 29th St, 6:10am. pic.twitter.com/CJ86BnqjSa
— Tony Webster (@webster) May 28, 2020
Protesters burned down a Wendy's fast-food restaurant
Wendy’s has collapsed and is still on fire. 6:15am pic.twitter.com/qF3ulOdvUM
— Tony Webster (@webster) May 28, 2020
Here's the AutoZone that was completely torched
AutoZone store in Minneapolis across from 3rd Precinct, still burning, roof and walls collapsed. 6:20am. pic.twitter.com/2nm6bmnDPq
— Tony Webster (@webster) May 28, 2020
Liquor store looted. Fire damage is seen at the entrance of the building.
Hi-Lake Liquor and Dollar General, 6:30am. Minneapolis Fire Department concentrating on fire at Dollar General. pic.twitter.com/rxZKvurk53
— Tony Webster (@webster) May 28, 2020
Dollar General burns
Firefighters working as smoke pours out of the Dollar General store, 2136 East Lake Street, Minneapolis. 6:40am. pic.twitter.com/HgTynicm1H
— Tony Webster (@webster) May 28, 2020
Smartphone shop looted
Total Wireless cell phone store, 6:35am. Pineda Tacos next door has gushing sprinklers. pic.twitter.com/1iKDX0YCFV
— Tony Webster (@webster) May 28, 2020
Protesters robbed a Wells Fargo bank
Wells Fargo Bank has been broken into and an alarm is blaring. ATM is smashed. Minneapolis Police squads are within view as people go in and out. pic.twitter.com/ZTSFLBTc5q
— Tony Webster (@webster) May 28, 2020
Streets around the 3rd Precinct look like a warzone. Absolutely stunning...
Here’s a 7:30am update about what I’m seeing around the 3rd Precinct. No protests that I can see, but I assume that will pick up as the morning progresses. (Sorry, Twitter cut me off.) pic.twitter.com/6eSR6UAd0d
— Tony Webster (@webster) May 28, 2020
Pictures from within Wendy's -- there's nothing left...

Protesters spray paint a message on a wall: "Merchandise Can Be Replaced Black Lives Can Not."

BMW SUV burnt to a crisp

Protesters write "Fuck The Bank" on the wall of U.S. Bancorp. Clearly not happy about their past banking experience.

More retail shops burned
Town Talk Diner, 8am pic.twitter.com/DFGOmCXePi
— Tony Webster (@webster) May 28, 2020
Protesters did not torch a "minority-owned" business.

Another liquor store robbed

Fires at a construction site

* * *
For the second night in a row, peaceful protests over the in-custody death of George Floyd quickly turned violent Wednesday night, with multiple building structures set ablaze, widespread looting, and continued rioting.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey requested Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to deploy the Minnesota National Guard following the social unrest. Demonstrators torched multiple building structures, including an apartment complex and surrounding buildings, an AutoZone, and other retail stores. At least a dozen stores were looted and or damaged.
"That's like five buildings on fire," one demonstrator said while talking to Unicorn Riot News.
The way this isn’t the beginning of a movie but real life 💀 #Minneapolisriots pic.twitter.com/alvzPoFXA8
— Hellaindividual🧞♂️ (@hellaindividual) May 28, 2020
A reporter from the Minneapolis Star Tribune tweeted images of the apartment building engulfed in flames.
Housing complex construction site on 29th/26th is on the verge of collapse. Heat is so intense you can feel blocks away. pic.twitter.com/sXbmQyzHCz
— Liz Sawyer (@ByLizSawyer) May 28, 2020
Apparently, the apartment building was new construction with no one inside (that has yet to be confirmed).
Minneapolis is burning #minneapolisriots pic.twitter.com/VnExGgjVOB
— Dr Richard Matthews 🇦🇺🕵️♂️ (@rhematt) May 28, 2020
The fire quickly spread to other structures nearby.
Fires are spreading. Another building engulfed #Minneapolisriots pic.twitter.com/99eJPhmMqp
— Dr Richard Matthews 🇦🇺🕵️♂️ (@rhematt) May 28, 2020
Here are several unbelievable scenes around the apartment complex.
"2020 is really going to go down in the books. This is the typa shit out future kids will read about. This is history in the making," said one Twitter user while referring to the fires.
Looks like an entire block is on fire.
Home safe. Can’t believe what I witnessed tonight. Don’t really have much to say.. #minneapolisriots pic.twitter.com/l666KDdsjk
— Tacos (@THAFL00D) May 28, 2020
The fire around the apartment building continues to rage early Thursday morning.
Many stores in this "strip mall looted and every window broken," tweeted one user.
Every business in this strip mall looted and every window broken. #minneapolis #riots #fires #GeorgeFloyd #minneapolisriots #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/mW92qiTHao
— Cam Grey Astronaut from Ohio🛸👽 (@camerongrey) May 28, 2020
Unicorn Riot News tweeted scenes from outside an AutoZone on Wednesday evening that was burned to the ground.
Unicorn Riot tweeted early Thursday morning that "smoke, fire alarm blaring, sprinklers going off inside Target." This is the same Target we noted on Wednesday evening that was looted by dozens, if not hundreds of people.
Smoke, fire alarm blaring, sprinklers going off inside Target by Minneapolis Police 3rd Precinct pic.twitter.com/yIZ5XR4Qit
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) May 28, 2020
One Twitter user claims an "aldi may have also burned in the fires."
#aldi may have also burned in the #fires in #Minneapolis #riots #Minneapolisprotests #minneapolisriots #georgefloyd pic.twitter.com/z14SHxgC9t
— Cam Grey Astronaut from Ohio🛸👽 (@camerongrey) May 28, 2020
Protesters were hungry and looted Wendy's.
A Wendy’s by the precinct got smashed up and tagged pic.twitter.com/D6n5sbhf3j
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) May 28, 2020
The situation is getting tense on Thursday morning: "More militarized police have reinforced the roof and perimeter of the MPD 3rd Precinct building. But they’re just kind of standing around and law enforcement clearly has given up trying to control Minneapolis right now," Unicorn Riot said.
Confirmed by Unicorn Riot but not official: "AutoZone and Wendy’s are all but burned down at this point. Some new condos under construction have gone up in flames as well."
Unicorn Riot claims "shots were just fired" possibly at the police station, which is the area where much of the rioting has been based.
Police at 3rd Precinct ducking down now after shots were just fired, presumably in their direction pic.twitter.com/9n4tkcmin2
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) May 28, 2020
Here's a live Periscope stream of the destruction, and at 5:51 ET, buildings are still on fire, and rioting continues.
#LIVE from #Minneapolis, many fires still burning by 3rd Precinct building that has been essentially under siege https://t.co/bLVp2TicQv
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) May 28, 2020
Mayor Frey tweeted a plea for an end to the violence:
"Please, Minneapolis, we cannot let tragedy beget more tragedy," the mayor's tweet read. "The area along Lake has become unsafe. We are asking for your help in keeping the peace tonight."
And to make matters worse, social unrest has spread to Los Angeles on Wednesday night, where "black lives matter protesters" surrounded and attacked police cars on Highway 101 in response to what was happening in Minneapolis.
BREAKING NEWS: Black Lives Matter protestors attacking police cars on 101 freeway in LA during #GeorgeFloyd protest @FOXLA pic.twitter.com/iMYnFU2mO6
— Liz Habib (@LizHabib) May 28, 2020
To remind our readers, President Trump signed an executive order in March, giving the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security the authority to activate up to one million National Guard and reservists to support the nationwide response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Though, as we've noted, the troops could be used across American municipalities to maintain social order.
A perfect storm is brewing across America's inner cities of extreme wealth inequality, record-high unemployment, an economic crash, hatred towards cops, and months of lockdowns. All there needed to be was a trigger to ignite the unrest, that trigger could be the death of George Floyd.