- Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said at a press conference on Monday that homeowners should shoot any looters who break into their homes during protests that broke out following the death of George Floyd.
- "They're going to be in their homes tonight with their guns loaded, and if you try to break into their homes to steal, to set fires, I'm highly recommending they blow you back out of the house with their guns," he said, according to Fox 13 News.
- Protesters have gathered in Polk County's Lakeland for days to demonstrate following Floyd's death, and Judd said he feared protests could turn violent.
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A Florida sheriff told residents to shoot anyone who broke into their homes and tried to loot them during protests that broke out following the death of George Floyd.
In a press conference Monday, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd warned residents about potential looting, according to Fox 13 News
"I would tell them, if you value your life, they probably shouldn't do that in Polk County," Judd said of possible looters. "Because the people of Polk County like guns, they have guns, I encourage them to own guns, and they're going to be in their homes tonight with their guns loaded, and if you try to break into their homes to steal, to set fires, I'm highly recommending they blow you back out of the house with their guns. So, leave the community alone."
Protesters have gathered in Polk County's Lakeland for days amid nationwide uproar over Floyd's death, and according to Fox 13, demonstrations had been mostly peaceful through the weekend, until Sunday night when protesters jumped on a car and police threw tear gas at them.
Judd said at his press conference that he heard rumors of violence on Monday night, and issued a warning against anyone who turned the protests violent.
"We are going to hunt you down and lock you up if you engage in any criminal conduct," he said.
"Minneapolis is not Polk County," Judd said at the press conference. "And I want to say unequivocally that the community here is unbelievable … But please understand, that if you come here to riot, to loot, to injure people, we're going to lock you up in the county jail."
Monday marked one week since Floyd died at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, who was recorded kneeling on his neck for eight minutes as he told officers "I can't breathe."
Four officers have been fired since Floyd's death, and the officer who knelt on his neck has been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.
- Read more:
- Spike Lee posts a powerful short film that links the deaths of George Floyd and 'Do the Right Thing' character Radio Raheem
- The Louisville police chief has been fired after his officers were involved in the fatal shooting of a black man during George Floyd protests
- Shocking videos show an NYPD officer being beaten in the Bronx during George Floyd protests, while another was struck in a hit and run
- Minneapolis police chief filed a civil suit against the department in 2007 alleging discrimination against people of color, including black officers
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