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Authorities arrested four individuals for committing criminal acts of violence at a May Day protest in Frederick, Maryland, on Thursday. The suspects taken into custody have been accused of assaulting police officers and/or damaging property. Police said the perpetrators brought tools with them to commit criminal acts, indicating that the attacks were premeditated, according to a press release.
The incident occurred around 8:45 pm at Fourth Street and North Market Street in Frederick. According to authorities, a group of roughly 20 individuals wearing black bloc attire began striking passing vehicles with umbrellas, "endangering motorists and escalating tensions." Several of these individuals were equipped with riot gear, such as protective googles and gas masks, which is a "tactic commonly used by protestors anticipating confrontation or preparting to engage in unlawful activity while avoiding identification or the effects of crowd control measures," police said.
After authorities arrived on the scene to de-escalate the situation, several protesters allegedly assaulted police officers. One officer was struck in the head with an object thrown by a protester, while another officer was hit in the groin with a metal pole, according to police. These actions resulted in four individuals being taken into custody.
Authorities reported that a nearby window was shattered, and officers recovered fireworks, laser pointers, spray paint, and other tools "commonly used to destroy property or interfere with police."
The following individuals were arrested and booked into the Frederick County Jail. Some of them are suspected members of Antifa:
Andromeda Weir, 26, of Frederick, a trantifa radical previously known as Michael Weir, was charged with rioting, obstructing and hindering, disturbing the peace/hindering passage, disorderly conduct, and failure to obey a lawful order.
Joseph Eastwood, 34, of Frederick, was charged with second-degree assault on a law enforcement officer, rioting, obstructing and hindering, disturbing the peace/hindering passage, disorderly conduct, and failure to obey a lawful order.
Jayla Maddison Draghici, 25, of Frederick, a trantifa radical previously known as Jonathan Mikel Draghici, was charged with second-degree assault on a law enforcement officer, rioting, obstructing and hindering, disturbing the peace/hindering passage, disorderly conduct, and failure to obey a lawful order.
Joshua Louis Gainey, 39, of Frederick, was charged with three counts of second-degree assault on a law enforcement officer, rioting, obstructing and hindering, disturbing the peace/hindering passage, disorderly conduct, and failure to obey a lawful order.
Frederick Police said that the items recovered at the scene, along with the coordinated behavior of the protesters, indicated that this group "arrived with the intent to commit crimes, not to peacefully protest."
"Peaceful protest is a constitutional right we will always protect," said Chief Jason Lando. "But when individuals show up with a plan to assault officers and damage property, and bring the tools to commit those acts, that's not protected speech, that's a crime. We will not tolerate violent or destructive behavior in our city, and anyone who puts our community or our officers at risk will be held accountable."
This remains an active and ongoing investigation, and Frederick Police said additional charges may be forthcoming. Anyone with information, photos, or videos related to this incident is encouraged to contact FPD at 301.600.2102. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 301.600.8477 or emailing [email protected].
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