Target is closing down its DC stores amid rioters storming the US Capitol

• Target is closing down its Washington, DC-area stores amid Wednesday's violent attack on the US Capitol.
• "Target's top priority is the safety of our team members and guests. We've closed our stores in the DC area and sent our team members home. We'll continue to monitor the situation closely," a Target spokesperson Insider.
• Target temporarily closed some of its stores earlier this year as protests swept the nation following the killing of George Floyd by police.

Target is closing its DC-area stores amid Wednesday's siege on the US Capitol.

"Target's top priority is the safety of our team members and guests. We've closed our stores in the DC area and sent our team members home. We'll continue to monitor the situation closely," a Target spokesperson told Insider.

NBC News' Jo Ling Kent was the first to report the news.

Target closed down its stores earlier this year amid protests following the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. After looting occurred at some stores in Minnesota, Target temporarily closed 24 locations in the state.

At the time, photos and videos showed people dragging items like televisions and vacuum cleaners out of a Target store, smashing windows, and destroying displays. Target said at the time that its focus would "remain on our team members' safety and helping our community heal."

Soon after, the retailer closed 105 stores in 10 states as protests swept the nation and said its employees would be paid for up to 14 days and could work at Target stores that stayed open.