Rioters Targeting Residences and Women

Rumors of “targeted” attacks by rioters against “residences and women in our community” had the inhabitants of Scottsdale, Arizona, anxiously on edge Sunday night. Violence and unrest spread into the affluent neighborhood for the second night in a row. It didn’t matter that the “widely dispersed message” was “unsubstantiated.” The whole state was put under emergency curfew restrictions as mobs battled police in neighboring Phoenix. The night before an exclusive Scottsdale shopping mall had been looted.

The rioters were imported

Things are so exclusive in Scottsdale that even the rioters are imported. The zip codes making up the town represent the upper-middle class and higher range. These citizens definitely aren’t considered “underprivileged.” The historic downtown is a mecca for world-class shopping and dining. Saturday night, the uber-chic Fashion Square Mall was looted by George Floyd protesters who did millions of dollars worth of damage in a single night.

The following evening, rumors suggested the demonstrations would flare up again, this time further north, near the airport and world famous golf course, the Tournament Player’s Club. Police prepared for riots that didn’t develop on Sunday, causing employees of some North Scottsdale businesses to barricade themselves inside their shops.

The officers were nervously on watch to prevent further trouble, especially when there was word going around social media that instead of going after businesses, the invading barbarians were planning to target houses and go after the women. Thankfully, that plan didn’t develop either.

We are aware of a widely dispersed message referencing targeted attacks on Scottsdale residences and women in our community. At this time the message is unsubstantiated. If you see something suspicious dial 911.

— ScottsdalePD (@ScottsdalePD) June 1, 2020

Prepared for the job

On Saturday, Scottsdale police had to suit up in SWAT gear to get the looters rounded up. By 10 p.m. the rioters were happily carrying away pricey products from Neiman Marcus, Urban Outfitters, and even the Apple Store. One reporter tweeted, the mob were “looters, not protesters.” Every one of them were “teens and young adults, breaking into businesses and stealing from Scottsdale fashion Square. Shattered glass, stolen clothes cover the ground.”

One of the things that was noteworthy is that these looters came prepared for the job. “A lot of these people are carrying rocks and they are breaking into the stores,” a security guard relates. “They are taking whatever they can and it’s really a shame.” The looters looked pretty well dressed themselves. “People are here, they can afford their own clothes, they don’t have to steal these people’s clothes. They are just trying to find an excuse to do something wrong.”

Everyone on the scene was convinced that justice for George Floyd was the last thing on the minds of the Fashion Square rioters. “The people that are trying to send a message, they have the wrong idea.” Arizona lawmaker T.J. Shope agrees. “What is going on in Scottsdale right now is not a peaceful protest. It was advertised as a looting spree most of the day through social media. This unlawful activity needs to be brought to an end immediately.”

In nearby Phoenix Sunday night, rioters ignored the curfew. There were more than 100 arrests as “some protesters were throwing objects.” Police in riot gear clashed with various groups throughout the downtown area. Before the curfew went into effect, there were “a couple thousand people.” After dark, “close to a thousand people were still protesting.”