The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), along with other law enforcement officers in Minneapolis, released photos Tuesday of several people suspected of being involved in arson attacks during protests amid George Floyd’s death.
The authorities requested assistance in identifying individuals who might be involved in vandalism, looting and arson.
“Progress has been stable in the Minneapolis fire investigation, and we are at the point where we need help identifying people,” Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jeff Reed, from the St. Field Field Division Paul ATF, said in a statement.
The Minnesota Transitions Charter School, the Minneapolis Police Precinct Third and the Automatic Zone are some of the buildings suspected of being set on fire.
According to the local news outlet Star Tribune, more than 570 buildings were looted or damaged after thousands of protesters took to the streets in the Twin Cities to protest Floyd’s death.
At least 67 buildings are also believed to have been completely destroyed, authorities said.
ATF
“This arson is bad for the community, business owners, employees and our families,” Reed said. “ATF is committed to working with our local, state and federal partners to identify and prosecute the perpetrators.”
A Minnesota man was charged on Monday for setting fire to the Minneapolis Third Area.
Branden Michael Wolfe, 23, was charged with aiding and abetting a fire that broke out at the police station on May 28.
Wolfe was later arrested on Wednesday when a home improvement shop on St. Paul calls the police to an individual who tries to enter the store.
He was found wearing body armor, a law enforcement duty belt with handcuffs and ear holes, and carrying sticks and knives, authorities said. He also wrote his name in duct tape and placed it on the back of his shirt.
Wolfe is suspected claimed to be at the police station, stealing police property and pushing wheelbarrows into the fire to keep the flame burning.
ATF
ATF said it was working with the FBI, the St. Police Department. Paul, the Minneapolis Police Department and the Minnesota State Fire Department Marshal to investigate fires throughout the Twin Cities.
The bureau urges anyone with information related to looting or arson to come forward to help the ongoing investigation.
