In Portland, Oregon, police have arrested demonstrators that started to smash windows while setting businesses on fire from the cause of a man who had been shot in a nearby park.
Demonstrations have been surging all over the city due to this fatal police shooting of a white man.
Although the victim has not been identified, the cop who shot at the man has been identified as Zachary Delong. At the moment, he is on paid administrative leave.
The police investigation had sparked after there had been reports of the suspect running around with a gun.
As they started their investigations, the police force was met with a crowd who was “fairly aggressive,” and those that were arrested that night could face charges of assault of a public officer and even convicted of criminal mischief.
Demonstrator numbers had risen over than 150 people, most of them were dressed in black while carrying items such as goggles, gas masks, helmets, as they yell at the officers who stood in front of them.
There had been crime scene tape separating the crowd, but demonstrators had ripped it down as they continued to chant. In defense, the police had used pepper spray to keep them away, but some officers had been hit before other officers started to release smoke canisters and a rubber ball distraction device.
There were still protestors that came in during the evening not only for this recent incident, but also for demonstrations of Adam Toledo’s death which also accounted a suspect that is a police officer, shooting the victim to his death.
The demonstrators had been dispersed after the fires ensued, calling firefighters in order for the fires that were created to be contained. There was a riot that ensued around 9:30 pm, resulting in robbery of nearby businesses.
Those who were a part of the riot have attempted to steal more merchandise, vandalizing those around in the area. Those who were arrested are currently facing charges of criminal mischief, resisting arrest, assault of public safety officers and disorderly conduct.
Police had to face situations like these last summer, and it lasted more than 100 days. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler calls for a peaceful protest, but it is not demonstrated through the angry rioters.
He releases a statement and comments, “These shootings always are traumatic for everyone involved and for our community, regardless of the circumstances. I want to offer my sympathy to the individual involved and to their family. My thoughts also are with the officers who were involved.”
