Jason Delgado
Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey said Monday that the man who drew a gun after being assaulted by protesters is still being investigated.
Notably, the Mayor’s remarks come less than 24 hours after the Tallahassee Police Department and State Attorney’s office determined the man was “under attack” and “acted lawfully.”
“Like many of you I am frustrated with the fact that we had a fight break out and a gun drawn in our streets this past weekend and no charges have been brought,” Dailey wrote on Twitter. “I am glad to hear that the State Attorney’s Office is still investigating the incident.”
Like many of you I am frustrated with the fact that we had a fight break out and a gun drawn in our streets this past weekend and no charges have been brought. I am glad to hear that the State Attorney’s Office is still investigating the incident. pic.twitter.com/ju2oX74aJO
— Mayor John E. Dailey (@MayorOfTLH) August 31, 2020
The assault took place Saturday outside of the Florida Historic Capitol Building during a non-permitted Black Lives Matter protest. In a statement released Sunday by TPD, investigators detailed the incident and released security footage of the assault.
TPD said the man, whose name has not been released, was there documenting the event.
“That individual was pushed from behind by a white protester, which led to a physical altercation between the individual and several other white males,” TPD said. “During the altercation, the individual was knocked to the ground. He got back to his feet and brandished a gun.”
The man was taken into custody after the assault.
Saturday’s protest was organized by the Tallahassee Community Action Committee. It was held to demand justice for Jacob Blake, a Black man shot in the back 7 times by Kenosha police on Aug. 23.
TCAC claimed the man’s actions were a show of “white supremacist aggression” in the hours after the incident.
“We will not be threatened by white supremacist or police terrorism,” the group tweeted. “We will be back in the streets.”
Dailey acknowledged that a conversation on social justice form is overdue in his announcement. Meanwhile, he asked residents to bring “common sense back to the streets.”
“I’m also asking you to take a deep breath,” he said, adding: “We are all feeling the pressure. We are all tense.”
The unrest has also grabbed the attention of Commissioner Jeremy Matlow. In a statement, Matlow said he is concerned about a lack of accountability.
“I can’t comprehend how the threat of deadly force was used, yet neither the alleged assailant nor gunman faced charges,” Matlow said. “The failure to pursue any charges sets a dangerous precedent in our community and sends a signal that violence is acceptable & there will be no repercussions. It is not.”
Matlow is expected to approach city and police leadership tonight with a list of questions.
11 comments
Gerald 1948
August 31, 2020 at 4:51 pm
These fellows who state that “we will be back on the streets” really have too much time on their hands. Have they considered getting an education (lots of scholarships and apprenticeships are available–free–and we know that you like free), or better yet, a job? Maybe it is just more fun demolishing and stealing property and attacking others.
Civilized much?
Maggie
August 31, 2020 at 10:32 pm
A comment that is singularly racist: the implication that the protesters are uneducated; the snide and definitely racist trope that the protesters “like free stuff, something Republicans have been saying for quite some time; that the protesters are unemployed and therefore shiftless; and that they demolished and stole property.
Do you feel better now, or perhaps “civilized?”
Gerald1948
September 1, 2020 at 8:21 am
Maggie–Thank you for your learned reply.
Evidently you are unaware of the property destruction in the cities in which violence has erupted. If you are, to the extent that you fail to condemn it, it would seem that you advocate it or at least believe that it was justified.
Your reference to “racist trope” is similarly misguided. Were you to have knowledge of the reality of the violence you would know that many Caucasians perpetrated it alongside minorities. They, too, had too much time on their hands, were “uncivilized”, or wanted to experience the fun of destroying the property of others.
The actions of law enforcement that allegedly sparked the violence will be played out in the judicial system. That takes some time because it is a deliberative process, unlike the actions that you seem to advocate. That should allow ample opportunity for the groups that you protect to better learn how to conduct themselves within society and, perhaps, make themselves productive members of it.
Ron
September 1, 2020 at 5:04 pm
A thoroughly outstanding reply.
Gerald1948
September 2, 2020 at 3:46 pm
Thank you.
Ian
August 31, 2020 at 8:51 pm
I wonder if Mayor Dailey is “frustrated” over the fact that the “protesters” violated the law by organizing an unlawful gathering in the middle of a very busy intersection without a permit, thereby disrupting traffic and jeopardizing the safety of everyone involved.
PMinFl
September 2, 2020 at 5:08 pm
He appears to be frustrated because the “gunman” has yet to be arrested and charged, not those attacking him.
Bailey615
September 2, 2020 at 5:45 pm
Have no use for Mayor Failey or for the Commissioners with this stupid mask mandate. I realize this is off-topic. In regard to the video, I saw nothing that would necessitate charges. Unless there is information I have missed he was a legal concealed carrier. That man had 4-5 people on him, I was amazed he could get to his gun.
Armed Citizen's Fight Back
September 1, 2020 at 11:23 am
So this idiot Democrat Mayor wants the guy that was ATTACKED and defended himself to be charged… where are the charges on his attackers? Yes, plural, he was attacked by about 4-5 people before he drew his gun. You might like my Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/ArmedCitizensFightBack
Bailey615
September 2, 2020 at 5:47 pm
good response
Bailey615
September 2, 2020 at 5:47 pm
good response
Comments are closed.