DES MOINES, Iowa - Des Moines Police says a small group with an agenda to destroy property and progress was behind violence and looting in the downtown area Saturday night.
Officers say 47 people were arrested.for charges ranging from Rioting, Failure To Disperse, and Criminal Mischief – 2nd Degree.
Tear gas was deployed three separate times after clashes and looting over the course of several hours.
A group of 300 protesters in front of the Des Moines Police Station Downtown included people who threw rocks and bricks at the building and appeared to try and ignite a fire. Police deployed tear gas as that event unfolded after 7 p.m.
The group marched to the Iowa State Capitol in the 9 p.m. hour where rocks and bottles were thrown at officers. Fireworks were intentionally detonated in the directions of officers. Tear gas was again deployed.
And then after 2:30 a.m., protesters moved to the Court Avenue Entertainment District where rocks and bottles were again thrown at officers, and tear gas was once again deployed.
More than a dozen businesses were damaged, including bars, restaurants and a grocery store, as a group broke windows, overturned trash cans and spray painted walls and windows.
Order was restored and violence had ended by 4 a.m. Sunday morning.