Protesters at an anti-Trump rally in downtown Lafayette said a man angry about traffic jumped out of a truck, pulled out a gun and threatened them, but police release that man and seek another who head-butted the man with the gun.

Summary

At a Lafayette, Indiana anti-Trump rally Saturday, a man pulled an assault-style rifle after clashing with protesters who blocked his truck at a Third Street intersection.

Video shows the man in a MAGA hat yelling at protesters, prompting another man—angered by the confrontation with women—to intervene.

The two exchanged shouts before the protester headbutted the man. He returned to his truck, retrieved a rifle, and reentered the crowd.

Police detained but released him, citing self-defense. The “Hands Off!” rally drew nearly 1,000 people and ended early amid safety concerns.

  • MrBananaGrabber@lemmy.todayEnglish
    41·
    1 day ago

    That’s most likely why the police changed the order of events around:

    “During the event, an adult male driver attempted to make a lawful turn at the intersection of Third Street andColumbia Street when his path was obstructed by protesters standing in the roadway. A verbal altercationensued between the driver and protesters,” the release said. "The situation escalated when the driver exited his vehicle and was subsequently pushed and battered by individuals in the crowd. The driver then retrieved a firearm from his vehicle in what he described as an act of self-defense.

    “He did not discharge the weapon and promptly returned it to his truck. Shortly after, a male protester approachedthe driver and head-butted him, causing injury,” police said.

    Even though multiple protesters described it otherwise. ACAB.

    Edit: punctuationification

    • Bytemeister@lemmy.worldEnglish
      13·
      23 hours ago

      It’s not a lawful turn if there is a pedestrian in the path of the vehicle.

      There was an altercation and then he retreated and came back with a firearm. That’s not self defense, that’s brandishing.

      I can understand the police not making that determination at the time, their goal should be to de-escalate and separate the conflicting parties, but they should send someone round to pick this guy up and book him for the felony he committed afterwards.

      • andros_rex@lemmy.world
        2·
        19 hours ago

        We know what side the cops are on.

        If someone had done that to protesters at a Drag Queen Story Hour or something, the cops would have slaughtered them.