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UPDATE: Police Shootings Protest In Oakland Turns Violent; Windows Broken, Fires Ignited; Businesses Vandalized

OAKLAND (KPIX) -- Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets of Oakland Friday night to voice their anger over the deadly police shootings of Daunte Wright and Adam Toledo, but the rally quickly turned violent and destructive with protesters setting fires, smashing windows and blocking streets.

Wright died in an officer-involved shooting in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, and Toledo was killed in Chicago.

The protest began peacefully with 250-300 demonstrators marching through the streets of downtown Oakland early Friday evening. As the hours passed, splinter groups broke away along Broadway Auto Row and began creating mayhem.

Photo Gallery: Police Shootings Protest Turns Violent In Oakland

The store windows at a Target store were broken, fires were set at auto dealerships.

Protesters Set Fire at Car Dealership in Downtown Oakland
Protesters set fires at a Honda dealership in downtown Oakland Friday night, April 16, 2021. (CBS)

Oakland police said the protesters "began breaking numerous business windows, spray painting building surfaces and setting various debris fires."

One officer was struck in the head with a bottle, sustaining an injury. Protesters also dragged barriers into the roadway to block and delay police response.

Oakland Protest - Smashing Windows at Target
Protesters vandalize a Target storefront in downtown Oakland April 16, 2021. (CBS)

Many downtown businesses, anticipating Friday night's demonstrations, boarded up storefront and office windows in preparation for potential violence.

With the violence accelerating, Oakland police announced over loud speakers that it was an unlawful assembly and the crowd was advised of multiple routes available and dispersed peacefully.

Oakland police said the incident concluded at 11:00 p.m. No arrests were made or citations issued.

© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Bay City News contributed to this report

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