Demonstrators set a Portland, Oregon, police precinct on fire Sunday evening as the event was declared a riot by the law enforcement agency.
On Monday morning, the Portland Police Department released a statement along with footage of the unrest that erupted several hours prior.
According to the police department’s statement, a crowd of approximately 200 protesters gathered in the streets of Portland late Sunday evening at around 9:41 p.m.
Shortly after the gathering began, it intensified to protests, and “someone lit a canopy against the building on fire.” The law enforcement agency detailed how the fire erupted.
“The fire began to burn to the siding of the building, so officers on the roof got a fire extinguisher to try and put it out. As they were putting out the fire, multiple people pelted the officers with rocks,” the statement read. “A lieutenant was struck with a chunk of ceramic, causing a cut to his hand. A second awning was also lit on fire close to a tree. That caused damage before it was extinguished.”
See the footage below:
Amid the precinct fire, the police department detailed a number of other incidents that occurred on Sunday evening. According to the department, the majority of participants wore “armor, helmets, gas masks, all-black clothing, and carried shields.”
The statement also indicated that the riot began when a dumpster was set on fire and pushed into an intersection. Law enforcement officials also claim the burning dumpster was used to shield to protect rioters as they hurled multiple objects at officers including:
“Almost immediately, from behind the shields and elsewhere, individuals began throwing chunks of ceramic, rocks, and glass bottles in the direction of the officers. Green lasers, which are capable of causing permanent eye damage, were shined at officers. At least one balloon filled with feces was thrown at officers on the roof of the building.”
At one point, a commercial-grade firework, paint bombs, rocks and even “marbles were launched by at least one wrist rocket style slingshot,” according to the police department.
As a result of the fire, “Two North Precinct awnings were lit on fire, and officers were targeted by protesters with sharp chunks of ceramic, rocks, mortars, and powerful lasers during a riot Sunday evening into Monday morning.”
