SPD recovers fireworks, bear mace from van impounded during protest

Seattle police recovered a handful of items from protesters after serving a search warrant on an impounded van, including a collection of fireworks, improvised spike strips, and bear mace.

Police report 45 arrests after march on Capitol Hill declared a ‘riot’

The items were found after a van was abandoned outside the East Precinct during demonstrations held in Seattle on Saturday, which eventually were declared a riot by SPD after several buildings were damaged.

After it was abandoned, police impounded the van, before later acquiring a warrant to search inside the vehicle. In addition to the fireworks, spike strips, and bear mace, the van also contained gas masks, shin guards, helmets, and homemade shields.

SPD arrested 45 people in connection with Saturday’s riot. Fifty-nine officers were reportedly injured, most of whom were able to return to duty.

Two groups of demonstrators gathered in Capitol Hill just after 2 p.m. Saturday at Seattle Central College and Cal Anderson Park before all marching south on Broadway, according to SPD’s report.

Durkan urges protesters not to ‘take bait’ from feds, remain peaceful

At 4 p.m., the crowd arrived at the King County Youth Service Center and a small group entered the construction site and set fire to portable trailers and other equipment. Windows were later broken at several businesses in the area as the group moved north on 12th Avenue. Once they reached the East Precinct, several people began spray painting and trying to disable security cameras. A device exploded that left a hole in the side of the precinct. SPD declared the incident a riot and issued orders to disperse.

“The crowd threw bottles and balloons filled with liquid and shot mortar fireworks and tossed explosives at officers,” according to the SPD Blotter.

Police responded with pepper spray, blast balls, and sponge rounds, but reportedly did not deploy tear gas.

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