The Black Lives Matter movement once again used ‘police violence’ and George Floyd as an excuse to destroy a city and assault police officers.
We’re still trying to figure out how any of this advances black lives.
In Chicago overnight, widespread looting took place… with Twitter users posting videos of hundreds of people looting stores such as Nordstrom, Walgreens, Macy’s, Coach, Gucci and Louis Vuitton.
As of Monday morning, responding units in Chicago have arrested more than 100 people on charges ranging from disorderly conduct to battery against police.
The widespread looting and clashes with police were sparked by an officer-involved shooting that had taken place hours earlier.
Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown said that 13 of his officers were hurt during the unrest, including a sergeant that was struck in the face with a bottle and an officer who had his nose broken while attempting to gain the compliance of a group of looters.
Brown said in a statement Monday morning:
“This was not an organized protest. Rather, this was an incident of pure criminality. This was an act of violence against our police officers and against our city.”
The looting and violence against officers took place across Chicago’s Magnificent Mile shopping district.
Brown also said that a security guard and a civilian, both innocent victims, were transported to a nearby hospital and are in critical condition after being hit with gunfire during the overnight looting.
So far, five guns have been recovered from the looting incidents. Brown said that he has ordered detectives to comb over high definition footage of suspects and vehicles from the looting scenes. Brown added:
“I, for one, refuse to allow these cowardly acts to hold our city hostage. CPD will not stand by as our beautiful downtown becomes some place that people fear.”
He reiterated:
“I pledge to pursue these offenders to the fullest extent of the law. A heavy police presence will continue throughout the downtown area today and until further notice.”
The unrest that ripped through stores such as Nordstrom, Walgreens, Macy’s, Coach, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton began Sunday afternoon following an officer-involved shooting incident. Police responded to a report of a man with a gun in the city’s Englewood neighborhood.
When responding officers go to the area, the alleged suspect fled on foot. While being pursued by police, the man turned and fired shots at the officers. This deadly force prompted the sound response of the officers, who returned fire.
Deputy Chief Delonda Tally said in a statement:
“During the foot pursuit, the offender turned and fired shots at the officers. The officers then returned discharging their weapon.”
After the suspect was shot, an unruly crowd began to hurl things at officers as they held the line to protect the crime scene. Deputy Chief Tally said:
“We do have an officer that was maced by someone in the crowd. We do have an officer that sustained a shoulder injury from the incident with the crowd. One of our vehicles, the windows were shattered by a brick.”
Tally also said that the violent outburst from the crowd was a direct response from one agitator, a man who claims he witnessed the shooting and claimed the police confiscated his phone afterward. Police arrested two individuals from the unruly crowd.
According to police, the suspect has previously been arrested four times for charges including burglary, child endangerment, and domestic battery.
The three officers that were involved in the shooting were taken to a nearby hospital for observation. The suspect was transported to the University of Chicago Hospital. His current condition is unknown.
Following the unrest from the officer-involved shooting, looting and vandalism erupted in the Magnificent Mile and other parts of downtown Chicago. The looting started around midnight and by 3 a.m., officers were able to get the scene under control.
A rock was thrown at a police car and there was anti-cop graffiti in various locations. According to authorities, several arrests were made. Illinois State Police assisted CPD by blocking off expressway ramps going in and out of the loop area in order to prevent looters from fleeing the scene.
At the request of public safety officials, the Chicago Transit Authority shut down all train and bus service downtown in order to prevent looters from fleeing the scene. The bridges over the Chicago River were also lifted to prevent further entry into and exit from the downtown area.
In addition to the unrest, looting, and vandalism the weekend included three deaths and at least 35 people were shot. From January 1 through the end of July, 440 homicides took place in Chicago and 2,240 people were shot. Many of those individual were killed.
