Businesses damaged before overnight protests calm in Tulsa

Protesters gathered in Tulsa again Sunday in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd as he was being arrested by police in Minneapolis.

The protests happening at the same time the Greenwood District in downtown Tulsa welcomed hundreds of people Sunday to commemorate the 99th anniversary for the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.

Police used tear gas to break up the crowds but we’re getting multiple reports of damage to property in the area overnight and into Monday morning. Businesses vandalized in the Brookside neighborhood include Round the House Furniture where a bench was thrown through a window and a nearby pawnshop with damage from rocks thrown through windows.

An Autozone store near 51st and Peoria had part of its front glass doors damaged and police reported damage to several cars in the area along Peoria. A T-Mobile on Peoria has a broken front door, it’s being investigated as burglary.

The department thanked the peaceful protesters but said “we are definitely not thankful for those who chose to take advantage of this situation to destroy property.”

Several dumpster fires were also reported in the mid-town area but firefighters aren’t sure if they’re  directly tied to protests.

Quick Stop, an Easy Pawn, and a Burger King all had fires outside their buildings in midtown overnight.

Shortly before 11 p.m., protesters were seen throwing water bottles at police. Police then responded with more pepper balls and tear gas.