Protesters Smash Windows, Loot Businesses in Downtown and Deep Ellum

Protesters smashed the front windows and looted numerous businesses in downtown Dallas and Deep Ellum on Friday night.

Video sent to NBC 5 shows the front windows of Sneaker Politics and The Point Skate Shop broken out, and people running out of the businesses with items. Both businesses are located on Main Street in the Deep Ellum neighborhood.

The damage happened just as a protest organized by the Next Generation Action Network was returning to Dallas Police Headquarters around 12 a.m. Saturday.

NBC 5 crews in downtown spotted the front windows and doors of the Bank of America Plaza busted out.

Video sent to NBC 5 by Kindall Tucker shows the front windows of “Sneaker Politics” and “The Point Skate Shop” busted out, and people running out of the businesses with items. Both businesses are located on Main Street in the Deep Ellum neighborhood.

Driving through downtown Dallas we’ve seen windows of several buildings smashed. This was across the street from where the July 7, 2016 police shootings happened. @NBCDFW pic.twitter.com/n6V1rHTPX8
— Meredith Yeomans (@YeomansNBC5) May 30, 2020

As the protesters marched through downtown Dallas, a small group broke off from the main marchers.

A Dallas police cruiser was destroyed early Saturday morning following demonstrations over the Minnesota police killing of George Floyd.

That smaller group had several encounters with officers in the area and severely damaged four Dallas police cruisers. Back windows of the SUV's were busted out, and numerous tires slashed.

At least four Dallas police cruisers were damaged by the protesters during the march, busing out windows and slashing all of the tires.

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson Responded on Twitter early Saturday morning.

The protesters in Dallas tonight have largely been peaceful and respectful. I fully support their calls for justice.

But we have a small handful of people who apparently have other agendas and have been destroying and stealing property. We can’t have that. It honors no one.
— Mayor Eric Johnson (@Johnson4Dallas) May 30, 2020

We can’t allow the looting we have seen at times tonight in Dallas. A few people clearly had ulterior motives when they showed up to an otherwise peaceful protest. It’s time to go home.
— Mayor Eric Johnson (@Johnson4Dallas) May 30, 2020

Dallas Police, alongside Texas State Troopers, started moving in around 1:30 a.m., setting off at least a dozen flash bangs and tear gas.