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Georgia State Patrol: HQ vandalized by rioters

Investigators said rioters threw fireworks, shattered windows, vandalized nearby patrol cars and spray-painted graffiti on the building

By Suzie Ziegler

ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Public Safety said a group of 60 to 100 rioters vandalized its Atlanta headquarters over the weekend, causing extensive damage.

DPS officials told WSB-TV that the group came dressed in dark clothing and masks just after 1 a.m. Sunday.

“They were armed with bricks, landscaping bricks, Molotov cocktails, fireworks,” said DPS spokesperson Lt. Stephanie L. Stallings to WBS. “Their one mission was to destruct property and that is exactly what they did.” 

A neighbor who videotaped the incident said she saw rioters walking down the street and heard glass shatter.

“I saw one that seemed to be glowing from the inside, then I saw somebody carrying a flaming object and then threw it into a newly broken window and explode,” she said in an interview with WSB-TV.

Troopers told reporters that fireworks were thrown into the building, causing a small fire. Two DPS employees were also treated for smoke inhalation.

Investigators said rioters shattered windows, vandalized nearby patrol cars and spray-painted graffiti on the building with words like “KKK” and “Death by Oppression,” reported WSB-TV.

It’s not clear yet how much the damage will cost, but officials estimate it will be in the high thousands.

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