Rioters in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, attempted to cut through a perimeter fence around a precinct and hurled multiple objects at law enforcement in the fifth consecutive night of unrest following the death of Daunte Wright.
Dozens of protesters lined the streets outside police headquarters Thursday and “aggressively” pulled at the barrier in addition to making several attempts to cut through the chain link, according to Minnesota’s Operation Safety Net, a coalition of officers dedicated to protecting Minneapolis during the George Floyd trial.
Rioters at the scene were also observed hurling rocks, cans, and fireworks at policemen who were donning protective gear inside the fence line, while others used laser pointers in an attempt to blind law enforcement at the scene.
“Law enforcement inside the perimeter fence at the @BrklynCenterMN police station continues to stay in a setback position to de-escalate and allow peaceful demonstration,” authorities with Operation Safety Net wrote. “Protesters continue to lob objects and attempt to break through the fence.”
In one incident, protesters engaged in a fistfight minutes prior to the 9 p.m. curfew, which has been in effect for the past few days.
Wright died after former police officer Kim Potter, a 26-year veteran of the Brooklyn Center Police Department, allegedly mistook her gun for a Taser and shot him Sunday. The 20-year-old was pronounced deceased after he fled the scene in his car and crashed a short distance away.
Potter has since been arrested and charged with second-degree manslaughter. She was released from confinement after posting a $100,000 bond, and the disgraced officer appeared in court Thursday for the first time.
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Law enforcement did not report any arrests Thursday evening, however, 24 people found themselves behind bars Wednesday, and more than 60 were apprehended the day prior. Between 200 and 300 people were observed defying curfew orders in the most recent demonstration, and all but 20 had vacated the area an hour and a half after warnings were issued.
Past incidents in the city saw widespread looting and violent clashes with uniformed law enforcement.
