2 Black Lives Matter Protesters Arrested After Violence At Seattle March

At least two Black Lives Matter protesters were arrested during a rally in Seattle on Sunday, July 19. A dozen police officers were injured during the incident.

According to the police, what began as a peaceful protest in Westlake Park gradually escalated as a "second group showed up, carrying baseball bats." The group was marching southbound on Fifth Avenue when individuals within the group broke windows and vandalized nearby buildings with paint.

"Individuals participating in a large demonstration Sunday were responsible for a significant amount of property damage to government buildings and private businesses in Seattle. At least a dozen officers were injured and there were two arrests made," an official release from the Seattle Police Department stated.

"The group headed south to the Seattle Police Headquarters and Seattle Municipal Court where they broke windows and spray-painted both buildings. The demonstration then marched northbound on Third Avenue, where some businesses were targeted by individuals with more smashed windows, looting, and graffiti on the walls," the statement read.

Katie Daviscourt, a conservative activist, tweeted a video of the protesters outside an Amazon Go building. The crowd is seen spray-painting the building while others tried to smash the windows.

The police said protesters pelted rocks and bottles at officers defending the precinct.

"An unknown person or persons threw multiple large mortar-type fireworks at officers from a close range," the statement read.

Several officers suffered injuries when the protesters threw fireworks at them.

"Two of the officers suffered lacerations and abrasion injuries while a third officer sustained burns to his neck area and needed to be treated by the Seattle Fire Department," the statement added.

The officer was rushed to a nearby hospital. According to the police, 12 officers were injured during the incident. The police used blast balls and pepper spray to stop the assault on officers. Two individuals were arrested, "one for assault and the other for theft."

The statement said the protesters then marched to Capitol Hill, where they committed more property damage and looting. The rioters set a small fire inside one of the businesses after breaking the windows. The group then headed towards the East Precinct and smashed out the front windows. The lobby of the precinct was set ablaze after someone launched a mortar-type firework inside.

"The protesters broke out several windows of the East Precinct, then threw a device into the lobby that ignited a small fire," the city police tweeted.

The protesters eventually broke up as they made their way to Cal Anderson Park.

"According to the Incident Commander, individuals within this group appeared to be very organized and this appeared to be a very concerted effort at property damage of certain businesses and government facilities," the official release stated.

This is an active and ongoing investigation. Detectives will follow up on the property damage and looting incidents. The police have urged anyone with information regarding the incident to contact the Seattle Police Department.