Chaotic videos show people looting a Minneapolis Target store amid a protest against the death of George Floyd
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A Target store in Minneapolis was looted on Wednesday evening during a protest against the death of George Floyd.
Videos and photos of the incident showed a chaotic scene with dozens of people running in and out of the store entrance, hauling goods like televisions, vacuum cleaners, and lamps.
A view outside a Target store on May 27, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Star Tribune via Getty Images
One video showed the inside of the store, revealing trash strewn across the floor, empty shelves, and overturned trash cans and shopping carts.
As the night wore on, people started smashing the store windows and doors and destroying displays and shelves. A nearby AutoZone was also set on fire.
The looted Target store is located on Lake Street near Minneapolis’ Third Precinct police headquarters.
A view inside a Target store through a broken window on May 27, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Star Tribune via Getty Images
Target spokesperson Danielle Schumann provided the following statement to Business Insider on the incident:
“We are heartbroken by the death of George Floyd and the pain it is causing our community. We decided to close our Lake Street store earlier today and worked to ensure all of our team members were accounted for and safe. Our focus will remain on our team members’ safety and helping our community heal. Until further notice, our store will remain closed.”
A protester smashed a window at Target. Star Tribune via Getty Images
The Minneapolis Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Target store was looted during a protest against the death of Floyd, a 46-year-old unarmed black man who was killed on Monday after a white police officer, Derek Chauvin, knelt on his neck during an arrest.
A video of the incident shows Floyd saying, “Please, please, please, I can’t breathe,” and, “Don’t kill me.”