Columbia police look into suspicious bottles from last weekend’s protests
The Columbia Police Department and Richland County Sheriff’s Department are looking into suspicious water bottles found downtown last weekend, when crowds gathered to protest the death of an African American man while in custody of Minneapolis police.
The Columbia Bomb Squad found the bottles in the area by Lincoln, Laurel and Richland streets. The bottles contained a milky white substance and were partially covered in duct tape. The CPD is working with the State Law Enforcement Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the matter.
“This may suggest evidence of not a spontaneous or peaceful protest but an orchestrated and planned attack against law enforcement. Those who choose violence over peace will continue to be held accountable for their criminal actions,” Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook said in release.
Three Columbia Police departments complained of burns, blisters and irritation on their hands after picking up the bottles during the protests on May 30. The CPD along with state and federal partners are working to determine if there is a direct link to the injuries and the bottles.
“This is just another example of the dangers law enforcement officers face from agitators who are not interested in peace,” Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said. “It’s inconceivable that anyone would think to harm officers in such a way, considering the dangers it poses to peaceful protesters as well.“ Lott added, “Bottles filled with corrosive materials are not instruments of protest. They are instruments that are designed to seriously injure those that serve to protect the right of people to protest. Unfortunately those that chose to peacefully protest rarely see this side of what we face.”
Protests have been held across the U.S. in response to George Floyd’s death on May 25 in Minnesota. It’s the latest in a series of deaths of African American men in police custody, and has sparked national outrage since a video showed a police officer kneeling on Floyd’s neck before he died.
All four officers involved in Floyd’s death have been charged.
Between 50-75 people were part of peaceful protest Sunday in front of the statehouse as it marked the second week of demonstrations. Cars honked in support of the demonstrators as they drove up Gervais Street.
While last weekend’s protests started peacefully but, later in the day, erupted with confrontations between police and protesters, including burned cop cars and the deployment of tear gas, there have been no such incidents since last May 31. This week’s protests have been calm and have included various public officials and even the South Carolina football team took part in Friday’s march to Gov. Henry McMaster’s mansion.
On Saturday, more than 100 people gathered at Finlay Park in downtown Columbia Saturday evening as church leaders from across Richland County put on a “Prayer and Praise” event amid ongoing protests against racism and police violence.
“Truth be told, we have watched and participated and experienced so much that we are overcome by grief,” the Rev. Jana Creighton told the crowd Saturday at Finley Park. “And frankly, we are fueled by pain. Your loved ones are suffering, Lord God, and it must end.”
Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or report it to CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC or submit an online tip.
This story was originally published June 7, 2020 at 6:17 PM.
