SEATTLE — Two AR-15-style rifles that were stolen from police cruisers have since been recovered, according to the Seattle Police Department.
Earlier today two rifles were stolen from SPD patrol cars that were set on fire. We have since recovered both rifles. We currently have no reports that the rifles were fired while they were out of our possession.
— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) May 31, 2020
In a press conference earlier in the evening, Mayor Jenny Durkan said that two rifles were stolen from patrol vehicles that had been set on fire by protesters. One rifle was recovered, and the department later tweeted that the second one was also back in police custody.
Officials said they are unsure if the rifles were fired when out of police possession.
Correction: Thanks to video from @BrandiKruse we are now unable to say if the rifles had been fired. Also thanks to her security guard for safely recovering both rifles and potentially saving lives. We'll follow up if we get additional info.
— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) May 31, 2020
Although for the majority of the day the protest were peaceful, around 4 p.m. violence began breaking out downtown.
Protesters, many wearing masks, were looting and vandalizing stores.
KIRO 7 video shows people going into a downtown Starbucks and other retails spots and stealing merchandise. Others entered Nordstrom through a broken window and threw perfume and designer handbags to a cheering crowd, leaving shelves empty.
Shards of glass litter the ground along with huge piles clothing and debris outside the Old Navy store. Windows are shattered at the Cheesecake Factory and people were seen grabbing bottles of liquor.
Protesters also targeted police vehicles, setting several on fire and breaking windshields.
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