Confrontation at Arizona State Capitol between officers, protesters

PHOENIX — Protesters marching through downtown Phoenix on Thursday over the death of George Floyd smashed windows with rocks and bottles at the Arizona State Capitol and police headquarters.

Hundreds of demonstrators reached the Capitol around 9:30 p.m., authorities said, breaking windows. They also tried to get inside, authorities said.

A smaller group of protesters then moved to the police building, throwing rocks and bottles at the windows and smashing the glass of the front door.

They were met by Department of Public Safety troopers in riot gear, who deployed tear gas and rubber bullets.

Phoenix police said Friday that eight arrests were made over the course of the night. Most were for unlawful assembly, and a driver was cited for civil traffic violations.

One demonstrator was treated for unspecified precautionary reasons at a hospital and released. Two officers were treated and released for heat-related complications.

Authorities said five marked Phoenix Police vehicles were damaged.

The protesters began their march around 7:30 p.m. Thursday. It was one of multiple demonstrations around the country against the May 25 death of Floyd, 46, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where a police officer had restrained the handcuffed man by putting a knee to his neck.

Floyd told officers he couldn’t breathe.

Protests were also held Thursday in Los Angeles, Denver, New York and Memphis, among other U.S. cities. There have been three nights of chaos protesting Floyd’s death in Minneapolis.

Derek Chauvin, the officer seen on video kneeling on Floyd’s neck, was arrested Friday. He and three other officers involved were fired earlier this week.

Around 10:15 p.m. Thursday, protesters smashed the rear windshield of a Phoenix police cruiser, according to ABC15 reporter Zach Crenshaw.

This is the moment protesters smashed a phoenix police cruiser’s rear windshield.
It’s what led to officers jumping out in riot gear & dispersing pepper spray, firing rubber bullets @ABC15 pic.twitter.com/KaTsWFiMAc

— Zach Crenshaw (@ZachCrenshaw) May 29, 2020

At 9:34 p.m., DPS troopers and police officers arrived at the scene in riot gear, Crenshaw said.

Back-ups continue to arrive in the form of DPS troopers & Phoenix officers in riot gear.
They’re still outnumbered by protestors but the crowd has definitely spread out. @ReverendMaupin is trying, unsuccessfully, to move people away from the standoff zone at the capitol pic.twitter.com/yZ7aZtJwUq

— Zach Crenshaw (@ZachCrenshaw) May 29, 2020

Around 9:55, the Phoenix Police Department announced the area between 15th and 17th avenues and Jefferson and Washington streets had been closed.

The department also advised protesters to leave the area.

The area between 15th and 17th Ave and Washington and Jefferson is now closed. Protestors should leave the area. pic.twitter.com/uXDmO9J3GB

— Phoenix Police (@PhoenixPolice) May 29, 2020

Before reaching the capitol building, the five-way intersection of at Seventh Avenue and Van Buren Street was shut down around 8:10 p.m. due to the demonstrations, according to Crenshaw.

Phoenix police officers were on the scene helping to block traffic.

The 5-way intersection at 7th ave & Van Buren has been shutdown.
So far police have shown no signs of aggression, and have blocked traffic. But I know there are many officers on standby on the nearby side streets. pic.twitter.com/Dy747FBERW

— Zach Crenshaw (@ZachCrenshaw) May 29, 2020

Around the time the protesters had reached the capitol building, Crenshaw reported objects had been thrown at DPS troopers.

BREAKING:
The crowd made it to the capitol. A glass bottle was just thrown at DPS troopers – some of whom are in riot gear.
Protestors also hit a trooper with a plastic bottle. Some small rocks are being thrown @ABC15 pic.twitter.com/0TUOzK6dKp

— Zach Crenshaw (@ZachCrenshaw) May 29, 2020

Valley demonstrators ignored the requests of community action officers to turn around on Washington Street, according to Crenshaw.

Demonstrators then continued to make their way down Van Buren Street and passed Third Avenue.

The protesters were reported to be congregating at First Avenue and Van Buren Street around 8:30 p.m.

The group is now sitting at 1st Ave & Van Buren.
“We can shut down any street in this city.” –@ReverendMaupin pic.twitter.com/VUFTSypQv3

— Zach Crenshaw (@ZachCrenshaw) May 29, 2020

Workers were cleaning up early Friday.

Crews repairing the damage at Phoenix Police HQ after last nights protest of the in-custody death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. ⁦@KTAR923⁩ ⁦@AZMorningNews⁩ pic.twitter.com/jkrjjMt8b8

— Jim Cross (@Crossfire923) May 29, 2020

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Jim Cross contributed to this report.

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