PHOENIX (KSAZ) – Phoenix police officials say officers deployed pepper spray and pepper balls to a crowd outside the Phoenix Convention Center, following President Donald Trump’s rally.
Phoenix police say some people in the crowd began throwing rocks, bottles, and other projectiles at police officers and someone in the crowd dispersed tear gas in the area.
Others in the crowd began toppling pedestrian fencing that was placed to block the roadway and create a safety zone surrounding the Phoenix Convention Center.
As this occurred, police gave warnings to the crowd to disperse and when that didn’t happen, officers responded to the crowd with smoke, pepper balls, pepper spray, tear gas, and flash bangs.
Phoenix police say no rubber bullets were used by officers.
Police say Daireus Latravus Stokes, 18, was arrested for three counts of aggravated assault on police, three counts of disorderly conduct, three counts of threatening and intimidating, and one count of resisting arrest.
Pamela Ann Robertson, 25, was arrested on one count of aggravated assault on police and Derrick Gilbert Pacheco, 34, was arrested on one count of disorderly conduct.
One juvenile was arrested for criminal damage and another adult was arrested on an unrelated misdemeanor warrant.
“Officers were forced to protect themselves to protect the community and protect property, and they did so successfully and professionally,” Chief Williams said. “We did deploy pepper balls and gas to get people moving through the area.”
http://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/arizona-news/275482430-story