Minneapolis Review

Police agencies have confessed that some of its officers have slashed protesters’ and media employees’ tires in a Minneapolis Kmart amid public outcry following the death of George Floyd, according to Patch. 

State troopers and sheriff’s deputies from Anoka County were said to have slashed tires in the parking lot on Lake Street and Nicolette Avenue while the car owners were out protesting or covering the events.

A representative for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety said state troopers “strategically deflated tires,” so that they wouldn’t drive too fast in the area, according to Patch. They did so under the direction of a multiagency command center.

The cars impacted “contained items to cause harm during violent protests,” according to Patch.

Bruce Gordon told Patch, “While not a typical tactic, vehicles were being used as dangerous weapons and inhibited our ability to clear areas and keep areas safe where violent protests were occurring.”