Violent protests escalate in Minneapolis over George Floyd's death

Demonstrators stand outside the 3rd Precinct after it was set on fire in Minneapolis on May 28. 

Protesters late Thursday focused their attention on the police station, the base of four officers who were fired after Floyd's death in their custody Monday.

Police cleared the building shortly after 10 p.m., when demonstrators forcibly entered and "ignited several fires," department spokesman John Elder said.

Protesters at the entrance to the police station. 

A protester throws a piece of wood on a fire in the street Wednesday night in Minneapolis 

Fireworks explode as a fire burns inside the Auto Zone on Wednesday night.

=

Police stand in front of the burning Auto Zone store. 

A man poses for a photo in the parking lot of an AutoZone where a fire broke out.

Video showed the AutoZone with broken windows and spray paint. One bystander was warning people against damaging the business, saying it had nothing to do with Floyd's death.

A construction site near the precinct is engulfed in flames.

Protesters use shopping carts as a barricade outside the precinct on Wednesday.

People leave a Target store with merchandise. The mayor asked the Minnesota National Guard to move in after protests escalated Wednesday night with a fatal shooting near the site of the demonstrations, widespread looting, fires and the deployment of tear gas.

A protester holds his hands up during the demonstration.

A police officer aims a gun at protesters.

A protester is doused with milk after exposure to tear gas.

Protesters stand trapped between police and other demonstrators outside the precinct.

Protesters carry an injured woman during clashes with police outside the precinct on Wednesday.

Protesters hold signs outside the precinct building.

Protesters kneel in front of police gathered behind a barricade outside the precinct.

Police stand guard next to a portrait of Floyd at the 3rd Precinct station during a face off with protesters.

Based on the video, Mayor Jacob Frey said officer Derek Chauvin should be charged in Floyd's death. The footage shows Chauvin with his knee on Floyd's neck as Floyd gasps for breath on the ground with his face against the pavement. The officer does not move for at least eight minutes, even after Floyd stops speaking and moving.

A makeshift memorial for George Floyd near the spot where he died in police custody in Minneapolis. 

The Week in Pictures: Crowds return to beaches and hugging through plastic