Arrest Warrants Issued for Three Men in Alabama Riverfront Brawl

CNN
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Montgomery Police announced Tuesday that arrest warrants were issued for three men involved in a chaotic brawl at the riverfront dock in Alabama. The incident, captured on video, showed punches being thrown, people being hit with chairs, and at least one person being tossed into the water.

According to Montgomery Police Chief Darryl J. Albert, the fight began as a result of a dispute over a dockside parking spot at Riverfront Park between the crew of a large riverboat and the owners of a small private boat.

Richard Roberts, 48, has been charged with two counts of third-degree assault, while Allen Todd, 23, and Zachary Shipman, 25, have been charged with one count each. Chief Albert described the three men as White individuals who are connected to the private boat owner.

One of the suspects has already surrendered and is currently in custody, while the other two are expected to be in custody soon. The chief, however, did not specify which of the two are still at large.

Third-degree assault is classified as a Class A misdemeanor in Alabama and carries a potential sentence of up to one year in prison.

Although the brawl showcased clear racial divisions, with a history of racial violence in the city, investigators determined that the incident did not meet the criteria for charges of a hate crime or inciting a riot.

The victims involved in the assaults were identified as Damien Pickett, the co-captain of the riverboat, and a 16-year-old White male.

Authorities have also requested that a Black man, who was seen swinging a folding chair in a video of the incident, come forward for further questioning.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Montgomery County District AttorneyÔÇÖs Office, and the local office of the FBI have all been consulted regarding the charges, as stated by Chief Albert.

In total, 13 individuals were detained and questioned for several hours before being released, with the investigation still ongoing and more charges expected.

The chiefÔÇÖs press conference provided additional details on the brawl, which gained widespread attention through social media.

On the incident’s occurrence, the Harriott II Riverboat, carrying 227 passengers, tried to dock in its designated and reserved spot along the waterfront. However, a small private boat had already occupied the space, and its owners responded to requests to move with obscene gestures, curse words, and taunting.

Co-captain Damien Pickett was driven by another vessel to the dock to engage the boat owners in a conversation and persuade them to relocate. At the dock, the boat owners confronted the captain in a highly aggressive manner, leading to the physical altercation caught on video.

Mayor Steven Reed remarked that the fight was the result of reckless behavior and poor judgment from the individuals involved. However, both the police department and citizens responded swiftly to address the matter.

Lauren Spivey, a witness aboard the riverboat, mentioned that they had been waiting for approximately 30 to 45 minutes for the owners of the small boat to move it, but no one stepped forward.

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