The Seattle Police Department is aware of a video, shared on social media, showing an AMR ambulance backing up near the demonstration line near the East Precinct late Friday night, apparently unable to get to its destination.
We have verified that the ambulance was not carrying a patient and was headed to the East Precinct.
The ambulance company was provided with the correct and safest route to access the precinct safely, but did not follow that route.
After realizing the error, the driver backed up and made it safely to the precinct.
As officers were allowing the ambulance through the demonstration line at the proper access point, one of the officers was struck in the head by a paint-filled object thrown by someone in the crowd. Fortunately, his injury was not serious.
We ask that safe ingress and egress be maintained for emergency vehicles around the demonstration areas.
There have been several instances earlier this week where people have experienced medical emergencies and it has been difficult for the fire department or ambulance crews to get to their patients.