South Sacramento businesses close at law enforcement’s request over looting concerns
Stores across a prominent south Sacramento shopping center closed early Sunday night under law enforcement’s request as the city braced for another night of protests over the death of George Floyd.
All shops in Florin Towne Centre, formerly the site of the Florin Mall near the intersection of Florin Road and Stockton Boulevard, were shutting down for the night at about 6:10 p.m. One of many Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office deputies in the plaza told The Sacramento Bee that law enforcement asked business owners to close early.
A social media post Saturday indicated protesters would target the Walmart Supercenter on Florin Towne Centre’s north end by 65th Street, as well as a Target store on Cosumnes River Boulevard near Highway 99.
“Everybody wake up !!! Issa (sic) terrorizing meeting at 6 PM @ WALMART on 65th & at 7 PM @ TARGET on CONSUMES (sic) RIVER BLVD!! Don’t miss it ! Tonight be there,” the post read.
The death of Floyd, a black man, while in Minneapolis Police Department custody Monday has led to protests throughout the United States, many of which have resulted in looting. Several businesses in downtown and midtown Sacramento were raided as a protest devolved Saturday night, including the Target on Broadway, though local activists have blamed “outside agitators” for the break-ins.
Sunday’s protest began in downtown Sacramento at about 2:30 p.m., and no protesters appeared to be at Florin Towne Square as of 6:10. Store employees were standing outside their businesses, yelling their closed status as customers got out of their cars.
A Walmart store in Rancho Cordova also closed early Sunday, as did restaurants in downtown and midtown Sacramento, Woodland and Auburn. The Masjid Annur Islamic Center near Florin Towne Centre had planned to open for the second night Sunday since the coronavirus shelter-in-place order was issued in mid-March, but texted its attendees that services would be canceled because of possible protests.
Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Sgt. Tess Deterding did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This story was originally published May 31, 2020 at 7:32 PM.