Downtown Portland chaos erupted as a group of demonstrators, dressed head to toe in black, descended on the area causing a spree of property destruction Wednesday evening, leaving behind shattered glass, spray-painted facades, and the fizzled remnants of commercial-grade fireworks. According to the Portland Police Bureau, the mayhem unfolded after the department was alerted to a planned march that had hints of a destructive agenda.

Businesses were given a heads-up by the authorities in anticipation of the evening event, but despite the advanced notice, storefronts were not spared. Kicking off peacefully around 5:00 p.m. near Southwest Park Avenue and Southwest Clay Street, the situation took a sharp turn into lawlessness by 6:30 p.m., with reports of traffic disruptions and escalating vandalism pouring in. At the heart of the disorder, an explosion was reported, raising the stakes of the unrest.

No arrests were made on the chaotic scene as the officers from across the city converged to survey the damage and start piecing together their case against the perpetrators. "Arrests do not always happen in the moment," as per the Portland Police Bureau. "Individuals who engage in violent activity or property destruction will be investigated and are subject to arrest and prosecution." The message was clear: Justice, although perhaps delayed, was certainly not out of the question.

Among the casualties of last night's downtown pillage were multiple business establishments, including banks, coffee shops, and a variety of retail stores. Portland State University also saw its property defaced in the rampage. Luckily, amid the chaos, there were no injuries reported. Police found and safely neutralized an undetonated commercial-grade firework, adding a grim marker to the potential dangers of the night.