The Seattle Police Department reported dozens of its officers were recovering Sunday after rioters injured officers with explosives and rocks on Saturday.
In total, 59 Seattle police officers were injured, including one officer who was hospitalized. Police sustained those injuries while dispersing crowds of demonstrators after one used an explosive that caused structural damage to the SPD’s East Precinct.
Video shared by SPD showed multiple officers injured by fireworks thrown from the crowd.
The SPD reported many of the injuries from the incidents ranged from abrasions and bruising and burns and, in one case, a torn meniscus. The SPD shared images of some of the injuries sustained.
Abrasion caused by explosive device. (Seattle Police Department photo/Released)
Burn caused by an explosive device. (Seattle Police Department photo/Released)
Burn caused by explosive. (Seattle Police Department photo/Released)
The SPD also shared photos of some of the damage caused to the city’s East Precinct prior to officers coming out to disperse the crowds. Detectives with Seattle’s Arson/Bomb Squad were still investigating who caused the damage at the East Precinct.
Hole blown in wall of East Precinct from explosive. (Seattle Police Department photo/Released)
“Additional interior photo of the suspected explosive damage to the East Precinct’s wall,” SPD tweeted.
Additional interior photo of the suspected explosive damage to the the East Precinct’s wall: pic.twitter.com/2qHnkiiWDZ
— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) July 26, 2020
The interior side of a wall of the Seattle East Precinct damage by explosive. (Seattle Police Department photo/Released)
SPD tweeted further images of some of the firework explosives used Saturday.
“Crowd continuing to throw large rocks, bottles, fireworks and other explosives at officers.”
Crowd continuing to throw large rocks, bottles, fireworks and other explosives at officers. pic.twitter.com/3gTGJUonUt
— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) July 26, 2020
In total, 47 people were arrested in relation to the Saturday demonstrations, including for assaults on officers, failure to disperse, and obstruction. In an earlier police report Saturday, the SPD described the incidents at the East Precinct as a riot.
On Sunday, demonstrations continued around the around the former site of the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ) demonstrations which disbanded in June.
“We are back at the site of the zone formerly known as CHOP, formerly known as CHAZ,” tweeted New York Times reporter Mike Baker. “The police department has said that due to restrictions on their use of tear gas, the officers would have to use batons more to control crowds. They’ve got them ready.”
We are back at the site of the zone formerly known as CHOP, formerly known as CHAZ.
The police department has said that due to restrictions on their use of tear gas, the officers would have to use batons more to control crowds. They’ve got them ready. pic.twitter.com/ngyTXUiAxw
— Mike Baker (@ByMikeBaker) July 26, 2020
“At least 4 more arrests here at Cal Anderson Park,” Baker tweeted. Cal Anderson Park was part of the disbanded CHAZ protest area.
“Ongoing standoffs in the former CHOP zone. Some protesters are saying there is a lull now but larger crowds expected to return. Thanks to friends at @TheStranger for the opening up their top-floor vantage point.”
Ongoing standoffs in the former CHOP zone. Some protesters are saying there is a lull now but larger crowds expected to return.
Thanks to friends at @TheStranger for the opening up their top-floor vantage point. pic.twitter.com/7fIB5Y5CRt
— Mike Baker (@ByMikeBaker) July 26, 2020
