Holly MatkinPortland, OR – A Molotov cocktail created a massive fireball as rioters attacked police in downtown Portland on Wednesday night (video below).
Hundreds of rioters converged on the police department’s Central Precinct and the Multnomah County Justice Center on Sept. 23 and shattered windows with “softball sized rocks,” the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) said in a press release.
The mob used slingshots to launch objects through the broken-out windows, and tried to force their way into the precinct lobby, according to police.
The rioters ignored orders to disperse, and continued to return to the area to fire commercial-grade fireworks at officers.
The group lit the north side of the Justice Center on fire at approximately 10:16 p.m., leading authorities to declare the gathering to be a riot.
During this evening's mass gathering: Awning outside of Central Precinct lit on fire and multiple rocks thrown at upper glass window leaves substantial damage. https://t.co/t3RaTcTHvE
— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) September 24, 2020
Officers were attacked with green lasers, full soup cans, and other projectiles as they worked to disperse the mob.
Rioters threw Molotov cocktails at police on at least three occasions – including one that hit an officer in the foot.
“A Portland Fire Medic was nearby and able to extinguish the flames,” the PPB said. “Had this incendiary not been stopped immediately, it could have caused serious physical injury to the officer.”
Video footage from the attack showed a rioter hurling the flaming container towards the officers.
It exploded into a large fireball as it hit the pavement, scattering officers and rioters.
The crowd burst into cheers after the firebomb nearly burned the officers alive.
Police chased after the suspect, but it is unclear whether or not anyone was apprehended in connection with the attack.
Officers continued to disperse the violent mob multiple times until the crowd finally wandered away at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, the PPB said.
Three officers suffered minor injuries and multiple arrests were made during the overnight violence.
Watch the incident unfold in the videos below. Warning – Graphic Content:
#molotov thrown as police charge at the #PortlandProtest. Then they drive us half a mile west, assisted by #feds, popping off pepper balls and flashbangs along the way. Unconfirmed reports of multiple #arrests pic.twitter.com/gHEdyPhZnY
— Kerry Harwin (@flashhardcor) September 24, 2020
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