Florida Sheriff Recommends Armed Residents Shoot Looters As George Floyd Protests Continue

A Florida sheriff has recommended residents with guns to shoot looters if they break into their homes, amid the George Floyd protests taking place in the streets.

Sheriff Grady Judd said in a press conference Monday (June 1) that violence, threats, injuries and damage to properties have no place in Polk County.

“I would tell [looters], if you value your life, you probably shouldn’t do that in Polk County," the sheriff said. "Because the people of Polk County like guns, they have guns, I encourage them to own guns, and they’re going to be in their homes tonight with their guns loaded."

If lawbreakers try to steal items from homes or burn properties, then the sheriff advocates for armed residents to shoot them. His office has been aware of rumors on social media that some out of town rioters may plot to break into houses while street demonstrations are going on.

"Leave the community alone,” Judd reiterated.

In the same press conference, the sheriff also praised the locals for holding days of peaceful protests against the killing of Floyd. They tasked his department to assist the local police in making sure that rallies would not become violent.

"I want to say unequivocally that the community here is unbelievable," the sheriff said. "But please understand, that if you come here to riot, to loot, to injure people, we're going to lock you up in the county jail."

Judd, appalled by the death of Floyd while in the custody of Minneapolis police, said if such an incident were to happen in Polk County the officer who killed a man in custody “… would be locked up in the county jail by sundown.”

Polk County is at the center of the state of Florida, with a predominantly white population.