(ETH) – Violent unrest continues to grip the nation as reports coming out of San Diego, indicate that rioters burned two banks to the ground, looted, and destroyed many other businesses according to a report from Fox News.  Peaceful protests turned into riots as night began to fall on La Mesa, a suburb of about 60,000 people east of San Diego, leaving a trail of destruction.

The protestors torched the Chase and Union banks next door to each one another, Fox 5 reported.  Shocking images revealed the fire engulfing one bank, and leaving behind a gutted skeleton of lumber and twisted metal by morning.

Windows were smashed at many businesses, including a Goodwill store, a real estate office, and a popular bar.  One owner of a “Play it Again Sports” Daniel Buxton, said he returned to his business to find “complete destruction.”

“Took what they could destroyed what they could and got out,” he told local station KPBS. He added that looters used bats to destroy the inside and lit a fire which the sprinklers had doused. There was also Video reported of looters busting through glass windows and raiding a Walmart after midnight at the Grossmont Center in La Mesa was captured by KNSD.