Update: Alabama authorities held a press conference today where they announced the names of the suspects that were apart of the riverfront brawl.
According to authorities, Richard Roberts, 48, has a warrant issued for assault 3rd degree. Allen Todd another white male that has one warrant pending, Zachary Shipman, 25-year-old white male also has one warrant pending. One of the suspects are in custody, but authorities are waiting on the other two to turn themselves in which they are expected to do so within the next hour. The black man, Reggie Gray, who went viral for knocking heads with a folding chair, is being asked to contact the police department for additional questioning.
As we previously reported, Montgomery’s Mayor Steven L. Reed said in a statement Sunday that Justice will be served. “Last night, the Montgomery Police Department acted swiftly to detain several reckless individuals for attacking a man who was doing his job. Warrants have been signed and justice will be served. This was an unfortunate incident which never should have occurred. As our police department investigates these intolerable actions, we should not become desensitized to violence of any kind in our community. Those who choose violence will be held accountable by our criminal justice system.”
As we previously reported, things got out of hand after several white people were seen attacking a Black man over a boat dock space. Montgomery police said they started to receive reports around 7pm and were told it was a large group of people fighting which led to serval folks being detained.
In the viral videos, viewers see one white man confronting a single Black man, who happened to be a worker at the dock. As an argument ensues, onlookers next see another white man rush over and hit the Black dock worker, who backs up and throws his hat into the air, signaling he was ready to fight.
As arms get to swinging, several white men rush over and join in on the attack, essentially jumping the lone Black man. As onlookers scream and yell in shock, in one video someone can be heard repeatedly shouting to other people nearby, “Y’all help that brother!”
Eventually a lot of black people began to help the man that was getting attacked. In a viral video you can see a man swimming in the water to get over to the dock and help the man out. Once local law enforcement officials finally arrived to the scene, several people were taken into custody; however, authorities have not yet released any names of the suspects taken in.