Angry crowds set fire to Minneapolis police station as George Floyd protest turns violent

Crowds of emotional protesters set a Minneapolis police precinct and neighboring buildings on fire late Thursday, on the third night of protests over the killing of George Floyd.

The Third Precinct building, which had been a central location for protests in the days after police officers killed Floyd, an unarmed black man, on Monday, had been evacuated before the blaze.

Dramatic protests continued throughout Thursday as people in the Twin Cities and surrounding communities demanded justice for Floyd.

Multiple photos showed the Third Precinct building in flames, with a large crowd surrounding it, many with their arms raised.

President Trump tweeted early Friday morning that if local authorities couldn’t bring the situation under control, he might send in the military, with a tweet reading in part, “When the looting starts, the shooting starts.”

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz called in the National Guard.

“We have activated more than 500 soldiers to St. Paul, Minneapolis and surrounding communities,” the Minnesota National Guard tweeted. “Our mission is to protect life, preserve property and the right to peacefully demonstrate. A key objective is to ensure fire departments are able to respond to calls.”

The blaze continued to burn with no firefighters, police or National Guard members on site.

The official Twitter account of Minneapolis urged people to stay away from the building due to the risk of explosion.

“We’re hearing unconfirmed reports that gas lines to the Third Precinct have been cut and other explosive materials are in the building,” the tweet read. “If you are near the building, for your safety, PLEASE RETREAT in the event the building explodes.”

At 12:53 a.m. EDT -- just before midnight in Minneapolis -- President Trump fired off two fiery tweets, placing much of the blame on the city’s Democratic mayor.

“I can’t stand back & watch this happen to a great American City, Minneapolis,” the first tweet read. "A total lack of leadership. Either the very weak Radical Left Mayor, Jacob Frey, get his act together and bring the City under control, or I will send in the National Guard & get the job done right.....

The next tweet from Trump continued, “These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen. Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!”

Earlier, as the protests raged, fireworks could be seen in the sky.

During the day and into the night, police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters. Some protesters threw objects at the officers.

A Target in Minneapolis also was engulfed in flames, and a NAPA Auto Parts in St. Paul burned down.

Thursday’s protests followed Wednesday’s in which one person was fatally shot and four others were injured. Fire departments reportedly responded to more than 30 buildings Wednesday.

Large protests began Tuesday, one day after the 46-year-old’s death and the same day all four officers involved in it were fired. The cops have not yet been charged with any crime, though everyone from the county attorney to the FBI is currently investigating the case.

Walz joined Frey and other local officials and politicians in begging people to keep the protests entirely non-violent.

While the majority of protests appeared to be peaceful, not everyone obliged, and unconfirmed reports of violence were posted on social media throughout the day.

Minneapolis and St. Paul remained the centers of unrest, but protests in other cities, including New York, featured police launching tear gas and making arrests.

In Denver, gunshots were fired by an unknown person at an unknown target, according to the Denver Post.

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