Indianapolis Officials Respond To Friday Night's Protests

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Randal Taylor addressed protests that turned chaotic and violent Friday night. 

Hundreds of protestors took to the streets after what began as a peaceful rally on Monument Circle. 

IMPD Chief Randal Taylor says the department's event response groups were deployed to allow protestors to assemble peacefully. 

He says some in the crowd ignored calls to not block traffic, and when reports of looting, vandalism and fires started to come in, IMPD officers were authorized to use pepper balls and tear gas on the crowds. 

Taylor says an estimated 30 businesses were damaged. Twenty-seven individuals were arrested, three officers and three protestors were injured.

READ MORE: Protest Turns To Chaos After Indianapolis Police Use Tear Gas To Break Up Crowds

Hogsett says what started as a peaceful rally was overshadowed by violence.

"Our neighbors who are simply fed up and angry, who feel they are not heard when they are peaceful," Hogsett says.

Hogsett says he met with members of the community including Dreasjon Reed's mother and representatives of Indy Black Lives Matter. He says they have requested that protestors who plan to gather Saturday night, remain peaceful and disperse early in the evening.  

Officials emphasized their commitment to police reform including transparency in investigations and IMPD body worn cameras.