Police are investigating after a vehicle reportedly drove through a group of protesters walking near Richmond’s downtown area.
Just after 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, second-shift patrol officers from Richmond Police Department responded to the area of Seventh and North A streets to a call of a vehicle driving through protesters walking in the street.
Mayor Dave Snow noted in a Facebook post on Saturday evening that the incident took place during a march staged by citizens in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Minor injuries were reported to officers, according to RPD Capt. Curt Leverton.
Snow said several people were very upset and emotionally shaken, but he expressed relief that no one was seriously hurt.
Detectives were called to assist in the investigation and have talked to some of the individuals involved. No arrests have been made, Leverton said, and the investigation will continue.
Anyone who witnessed this incident or has video is asked to contact Richmond Police Department at (765) 983-7247.
Snow said he has been in contact with Police Chief Mike Britt and City Councilwoman Kelley Cruse-Nicholson, who was present for the incident, to discuss details.
“I am angry and disappointed that anyone would disregard the safety and wellness of fellow citizens and attempt to bring harm to people expressing their freedom of speech,” Snow said. “I completely understand the circumstances of 2020 have left many of us feeling stressed, and we are ending summer on a contentious note of heightened political disagreements. However, none of that is more important than the safety of our citizens and the preservation of our civil liberties.”
Snow said the action is being taken very seriously and will be fully investigated. “Everyone in our city should be free to express their opinion without fear of physical harm,” Snow said. “As we turn a corner into 2021, COVID-19 will eventually diminish and elections will pass, but we’ll still all live here together. This is our home. Please treat it and each other as such. I have faith we are capable to treat each other with respect and become a stronger community through adversity.”