A possible threat shared dozens of times on social media prompted a police response at Greenwood Park Mall Saturday afternoon.
The Simon-owned mall closed at noon Saturday due to “recent events,” according to a Greenwood Police Department news release. Those recent events include protests that turned violent overnight in Indianapolis and other violence playing out around the country, said Matt Fillenwarth, spokesperson for Greenwood police.
The Facebook post encouraged looting at the mall.
Police vehicles also lined the front of the Super Target Saturday on State Road 135 in Greenwood.
Officers from several agencies including the Greenwood police, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and Indiana State Police were stationed Saturday at the Greenwood Police Department Training Center across the street from the mall.
This comes hours after crowds angered by the Minneapolis death of George Floyd clashed with police in downtown Indianapolis overnight, prompting officers to fire multiple volleys of tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds that shattered storefronts.
The Friday protest over Floyd’s death Monday after a white police officer pushed his knee into the handcuffed black man’s neck for several minutes began peacefully. It turned violent Friday night, though, with some demonstrators smashing windows and glass doors on many businesses, including Circle Centre Mall, and lingering into the early morning hours of Saturday.
Fires were set in trash cans and a CVS store was set ablaze after protesters broke in and stole what was on the shelves. Protesters also ransacked a jewelry store, cellphone store and other businesses, The Indianapolis Star reported.
The violence in Indianapolis and many other cities was sparked by anger over over Floyd’s death, which was captured on cellphone video. It led to the firing Tuesday of the four police officers who were arresting Floyd for suspicion of passing a counterfeit bill and to third-degree murder and manslaughter charges being filed Friday against the officer who used his knee to pin Floyd down for more than eight minutes, even as Floyd pleaded for air and went limp.
At one point Friday night, Indianapolis police stood in riot gear as groups of protesters moved through clouds of tear gas chanting “I can’t breathe!” and “Black lives matter.”
Just before 12:30 a.m. Saturday, a police spokesperson said shots had been fired at a Marion County Sheriff’s Department deputy. That deputy was not injured and did not return fire, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said in a statement Saturday that three law enforcement officers were injured during the protest and one demonstrator was seriously hurt while kicking in glass. He said a police officer applied a tourniquet and delivered “life-saving care” to the injured protester.
Hogsett urged participants in future protests in the state’s capital city to reject violence. He said that he, like many people, “was horrified by the needless killing of George Floyd,” and added that he recognizes the anger and frustration “communities of color” have felt for generations because of systemic racism and a lack of liberty and justice.
But the mayor said that although hundreds of city residents peacefully exercised their right to free speech to protest Floyd’s death, he was saddened that a smaller group turned violent and damaged businesses and caused injuries.
“While the emotions that fueled this vandalism may be justified, the actions that were taken and the harm that it has caused are simply unacceptable and did nothing to further the cause of progress,” Hogsett said in his statement.
Gov. Eric Holcomb also issued a statement on Saturday about the violence.
“Hoosiers have long been people who find solutions to the challenges we face, whether it be in response to a pandemic or to an injustice like the world witnessed so tragically inflicted upon Mr. George Floyd in Minnesota,” he said.
“As I stated yesterday, injuring the innocent in response to an injustice is counterproductive. I’ve asked the Indiana State Police to fully support and make resources available to local communities across our state to ensure our citizens and their property remain safe.
“In the days ahead, peaceful assembly and clear voices will be important if we are to make progress. Violence and vandalism will set us back in our shared desire to resolve differences. Let us again, each of us, be part of the solution.”
The Indianapolis Business Journal contributed to this report.
