Man drives car into crowd before firing gun at protesters

A man drove a car into George Floyd protesters in Seattle on Sunday night (local time) before brandishing a pistol, authorities say.

Video posted on Twitter shows the male driver of the black sedan speed into the crowd as horrified protesters chase after him.

After the car comes to a stop, the driver appears to pull out a gun and fire it out the window before running into the crowd of hundreds of protesters on Capitol Hill.

A man, 27, was shot and taken to hospital in stable condition, the Seattle Fire Department said.

Police said the driver has since been arrested.

“Suspect in custody, gun recovered after man drove vehicle into crowd at 11th and Pine. Seattle Fire transported victim to hospital. Officers searched, but do not believe there are any additional victims. Will provide updates when available,” the Seattle Police Department wrote on Twitter.

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The event was largely peaceful until the man drove the car into the barricade.

It was the second night of mayhem near the police station.

On Saturday night (local time), police used flash bang devices and pepper spray to disperse protesters on Capitol Hill. Authorities said rocks, bottles and explosives were thrown at officers.

A small group of protesters started throwing objects at officers about 7:30 pm, police said, and the crowd was ordered to disperse.

Incendiary devices were then used.

Seattle City Council members sharply criticised Mayor Jenny Durkan and Police Chief Carmen Best for the police action.

Best said six officers were injured, including two who were taken to a nearby hospital. It followed a large, peaceful demonstration, during which medical workers protested against racism and police brutality.

It also came a day after Durkan and Best imposed a 30-day moratorium on the department’s use of one kind of tear gas.

Seattle City Council President Lorena Gonzalez wrote on Twitter on Saturday night (local time) that she is “outraged” by the police response.

“This is NOT what de-escalation looks like!”

City Council member Teresa Mosqueda urged Durkan and Best to “stop traumatising protesters and neighbours” and said on Twitter she received reports that the protests had been peaceful.

with AP

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