Here's a timeline showing how police said Saturday night's protest escalated to a riot:

  • 6 p.m. - Protest in Perry Square
  • 9:12 p.m. - About 400 people who descended on Erie City Hall started destroying property.
    • They began pounding on the doors to try to gain entry into the Erie Police Department, spray painting the building, and shattering windows.
    • First warning: Police said the protest had become unlawful, given 5 minutes to leave peacefully.
    • Second warning: Protesters given two minutes to disperse.
    • Third warning: Colored smoke dispensed. SWAT team came out from basement.
    • Damage started: Parking meters pulled out of ground and smashed. Bricks, rocks, water bottles and fireworks thrown at police.
    • Police started using tear gas to disperse crowd.
    • Pennsylvania State Police and Millcreek Police called in.
    • Police warned protesters to leave every few minutes and slowly moved toward the crowd.
    • Groups took off down State St. and other side streets, smashing windows and tossing Molotov cocktails into some.
  • Around midnight: Crowd largely dispersed.

Surveillance video from police entrance of Erie City Hall