Protesters damage local businesses during overnight unrest

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — At least two businesses were damaged early Wednesday morning by demonstrators in north Charlotte, police said.

Click here for Channel 9's minute-by-minute updates

Protesters cleared I-85 around 3 a.m. after a SWAT team released tear gas. Some of the protesters went to the Walmart off North Tryon Street to commit crimes against the store, police said.

Someone threw a rock at one of the entrances of the store at 3:40 a.m., breaking the door windows. People looted the superstore, then scattered when CMPD officers arrived in tactical gear. Officers protected the store until it was safe.

Channel 9 saw more police officers stationed in the shopping center to keep an eye on other businesses in the area.

Walmart employees spent about an hour cleaning up the damage and broken glass. They put up wooden pallets to barricade the damaged doors. Employees used shopping carts to barricade the only open public entrance and turned away customers because the store was closed.

According to the police report, five televisions, a Roku and an iPhone were reported damaged or stolen. Investigators arrived around 8 a.m. to look further into the incident.

Walmart’s spokesperson, Erica Jones, released a statement:

"What happened last night is disheartening. We're glad all of our associates are safe. We're continuing to work with police to follow the situation and determine when our store will reopen."

Police said a Walgreens off East WT Harris Boulevard was also damaged by protesters. The two front doors were boarded up Wednesday morning, but the store remained open. Police are also investigating reports of a stolen car with a smashed window in the same parking lot.

Watch Gina Esposito's Facebook update on damage done at local businesses.

Cox Media Group