‘It’s unacceptable’: Police chief breaks down after protesters set fire to home with child inside

A Virginia police chief grew emotional as he recounted rioters torching a home with a child inside, saying that it was “unacceptable.”

Richmond Police Chief Will Smith repeatedly stopped to compose himself as he detailed how protesters blocked the fire department from responding to a multi-family residence that was set ablaze early Sunday during George Floyd demonstrations.

“They prohibited us from getting on scene. We had to force our way to make a clear path for the fire department,” Smith said at a press conference.

Smith, whose voice began to waver with emotion, noted that the home had been occupied by a child at the time of the fire.

“Officers were able to help those people out of the house. We were able to get the fire department there safely,” Smith said before pausing again to regain composure.

He then condemned the protesters who took violent measures, saying their behavior was “unacceptable.”

“When you take a legitimate issue and hijack it for unknown reasons, that is unacceptable to me. It’s unacceptable to the Richmond Police Department and unacceptable to the City of Richmond.”

Smith claimed the rioters had traveled from outside the city to take advantage of the plans for peaceful protest.

“We have people from across the country who have traveled many states to be here. We know that this is an organized effort,” Smith said.