Columbia’s city center as well as the Vista are under a curfew tonight after earlier peaceful protests over the killing of George Floyd turned violent later in the day.
Mayor Steve Benjamin declared the curfew effective as of 6pm saying “When protests go from being peaceful to being violent the situation changes ... and this won’t tolerated.”
According to Columbia police chief Skip Holbrook, four officers were injured, one said to be in serious condition. A firefighter was also injured as protesters descended on the Columbia Police Headquarters on Washington Street.
Multiple arrests have been made, one of those arrests was of a suspect who allegedly fired a weapon.
According to the State Newspaper, several vehicles have been damaged, including three police cruisers that were torched.
The curfew is in effect until Monday.