Seattle protests declared a riot after mob sets fire to Starbucks and asks residents above cafe to evacuate
CAPITAL HILL, SEATTLE: A major riot broke out in Seattle and saw arsonists looting and burnings Starbucks on July 25 in a horrific turn of events. The coffee bar also had a few residential apartments above and residents were asked to evacuate the building by the mob. The news broke when Mike Baker of the New York Times tweeted the incident. "Moving through the Capitol Hill, hitting a Starbucks. Smoke is coming out the window and people are now calling for the residents above to evacuate," his tweet read.
Starbucks employees were assaulted after they were seen clicking pictures and the mob attempted to target the business, according to a District Herald report. In his series of tweets, Baker added: "These workers at a bar/restaurant say some in the crowd attacked and punched them after accusing one of them of taking images of the crowd." Baker's tweets also had clips of the events as they unfolded.
It wasn't long before the police pulled up after the fire and started using pepper spray along with flashbangs to scatter and disperse the mob. "The police have shown up, using flash-bangs and pepper spray," he added to his string of tweets.
In related news that happened earlier in the week, the police also reported "explosive" fires that caused widespread panic and damage in the city's Capitol Hill neighborhood. A Q13 Fox report said cops reported multiple explosions and fires in the area that included one inside the East Precinct. The mob breached a security fence and set about vandalizing the building and the damage to the walls is currently being investigated. The site also added this was the third day of rioters targeting public establishments and government buildings that also saw some officers hurt.
12 SPD officers have been reported injured while one was hospitalized for burns on the neck after being attacked with fireworks. According to Fox News, "These are criminal acts, not peaceful protests," police were quoted saying. The demonstration occurred amid ongoing nationwide protests sparked by the police-involved death of George Floyd in May this year.
This is a developing story and will be updated shortly...