AUSTIN (KXAN) — Three Texas Department of Public Safety troopers were injured and five people were arrested during a protest in downtown Austin Saturday, including one who pointed a gun at officers.
DPS said there were two opposing protests happening at the Texas State Capitol. One was an “anti-sanctuary cities” demonstration and one was an “anti-xenophobia in Austin” protest. In a series of videos on social media, protesters and counter protesters can be seen carrying banners and signs along with American flags and Confederate flags.
Police arrested one man, Robert Patrick Hewitt, 29, after they said he pointed a gun at an Austin police officer and a DPS trooper who were attempting to detain someone at the protest. According to an arrest affidavit, Hewitt was approximately 15 feet away from the two officers and he had a handgun “raised a downward angle pointed at the officers on the ground.” An officer who was helping escort the march saw what was happening and stepped in to arrest Hewitt.
The man did not fire any shots, but officers said when they seized the gun, it was loaded. Hewitt was charged with aggravated assault on a public servant.
DPS said three of their troopers sustained minor cuts and lacerations while they detained four people:
- Quintin T. Hatt, 27, from Austin, charged with Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer, 1st Degree Felony
- Nolan C. Eberly, 27, from Austin, charged with Interfering with Duties of a Public Servant, Class B misdemeanor
- Timothy Z. Shirley, 22, from Kyle, charged with Interfering with Duties of a Public Servant, Class B misdemeanor
- Aaron J. Brian, 28, from San Marcos, charged with Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer, 1st Degree Felony
DPS said the four were transported to the Travis County Jail without any further issues.
Sad… no CRITICALLY injured pigs.
That’s gotta change.