Fires Set Outside Fredericksburg Police HQ After Day Of Protests

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Two small fires were set at a police memorial and outside the front entrance to the Fredericksburg Police Department headquarters early Sunday morning, according to the police department. The Fredericksburg Fire Department was able to put out the small fires. No injuries resulted from the flames.

The Fredericksburg Police Department and the Fredericksburg Fire Marshal are conducting a joint investigation, the police said Sunday. The police provided a video of the fires taken from inside the police department building.

At about 12:35 a.m. Sunday, an unknown male poured a flammable fluid on the Fallen Officer Memorial and the front entrance to police department headquarters, the police said.

“I am heartbroken this senseless act happened here in our great city. Across the country, we are seeing protests, acts of violence, and destruction of property by people outraged over the tragic and avoidable death of George Floyd," Fredericksburg Police Chief Brian Layton said Sunday in a statement. "We are all deeply saddened by his death and are praying for his family during this difficult time."

Peaceful protests were held Saturday in Fredericksburg as people marched to City Hall in support of justice for George Floyd who was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis. The marchers also called for greater oversight of law enforcement and accountability for police violence.

The Fredericksburg Police Department is located at 2200 Cowan Boulevard in Fredericksburg.