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Violent Clashes, Cars On Fire In Aurora Sunday Night

AURORA (CBS) -- Clashes tonight in Aurora, as violent protesters, a group of about 70 people, set fires to cars and buildings downtown. CBS 2's Charlie DeMar reports some of the fires were set to police cars and one of the department's armored vehicles was shot at.

At of 10 p.m. the downtown area was shut down and there were officers patrolling streets with long guns.

CBS 2 Investigator Dave Savini posted video of a car fully engulfed in flames.  There was also smoke seen from a building near Broadway and New York Streets.

The City of Aurora has issued a state of emergency and a curfew beginning at 8:30 p.m. and continuing until 6 a.m. Monday.

"Today we hosted a peaceful protest at the Aurora Police Department," said Mayor Richard C. Irvin said in a statement. "However, once the protest ended, the crowd dispersed and then grew substantially with other participants throughout the streets of Aurora. While Chief Ziman and I were honored to participate in the initial protest, we will not tolerate lawlessness in our city."

Irvin said there was looting across the city. Ramps from Interstate 88 into the city have been closed. Aurora residential or employment identification is necessary to obtain entrance from the interstate.

CBS 2's Charlie De mar reported an armored Kendall County Sheriff's vehicle was reportedly shot at.

De Mar also talked with one woman named Rosie who was trying to save her tae kwon do business – which she found out was broken into through Facebook Live.

"I was devastated, honestly," she said.

Rosie said she ran to the scene with boards.

"They broke in all the windows, all the doors," she said. "Everything is exposed right now."

Police in riot gear remained out in force in Aurora just before 11 p.m., including K9 units, warning people away from approaching a line. One man was warned that he was about to get bitten by a police dog.

Officers yelled commands at the man, but he appeared to be walking slowly away.

Two cyclists were also warned away from the line.

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