Driver Arrested After SUV Hits Protester at "No Kings" Rally
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A 21-year-old man was arrested after police say he intentionally drove an SUV into a crowd of protesters in Culpeper, Virginia, on Saturday afternoon.
Joseph R. Checklick Jr. of was charged with reckless driving and is being held without bond at the Culpeper County Jail, according to the Culpeper Police Department (CPD). The incident occurred during a "No Kings" rally near James Madison Highway, where officials say he struck at least one person with his vehicle.
Police say Checklick intentionally accelerated into the crowd of protesters near James Madison Highway Saturday afternoon. The demonstration was organized by local Democratic groups as part of nationwide protests against the Trump administration's policies.
Culpeper Democrats posted on Facebook, thanking the Culpeper Police Department for their "quick response and for keeping our protest safe." The group reported significant attendance at their event, with organizers claiming more than 600 attendees across two locations - over 200 at their Main Street location and over 400 on James Madison Highway.
The "No Kings" demonstrations were designed to counter what organizers describe as an excessive military display in the nation's capital. The protests took their name from their opposition to what they characterize as authoritarian tendencies in the current administration.
This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Vance Boelter's Friend Reveals More Details About Assassination Suspect
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A friend of Vance Boelter, a suspect in the assassination of Minnesota Democratic state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband on Saturday, has revealed his last message to him before the shooting. Boelter, 57, who was identified by police as a suspect in the shooting on Saturday, reportedly rented a room in the same Minneapolis home as David Carlson, and sent his friend a cryptic text message at 6 a.m. on the day of the incident. Boelter's listed address is in Green Isle, Minnesota, an hour's drive away. Newsweek has contacted the Minnesota State Patrol and Minneapolis Police Department for comment via email. Why It Matters Hortman and her husband, Mark, were pronounced dead Saturday morning after a gunman posing as law enforcement arrived at their home in the early hours and shot them both. The shooter, who remains at large, had targeted the home of another Democratic lawmaker, state Senator John Hoffman, shortly before the attack on the Hortmans. Hoffman and his wife Yvette were shot multiple times and have undergone surgery. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called the shooting "a politically motivated assassination." What To Know Sitting on the porch of the house that he had shared with Boelter, Carlson read aloud a text message that he received from the suspect at 6 a.m. on Saturday. The text message, which Carlson read to reporters, said: "David and Ron, I love you guys. I made some choices, and you guys don't know anything about this, but I'm going to be gone for a while. "May be dead shortly, so I just want to let you know I love you guys both and I wish it hadn't gone this way. "I don't want to say anything more, I don't want to say anything more and implicate you in any way, because you guys don't know anything about this. But I love you guys and I'm sorry for all the trouble he has caused." A poster released by the FBI for Vance Boelter, a suspect in the shooting of Minnesota lawmakers on Saturday. A poster released by the FBI for Vance Boelter, a suspect in the shooting of Minnesota lawmakers on Saturday. FBI Carlson said that he had known Boelter since fourth grade, and that he was a loving person who did not seem like the type to carry out an assassination. "He was a loving caring guy, he loved his family, he loved his friends. He loved God. I don't know why he did what he did. It's not Vance, no one will believe this, no one that grew up with him, he had lots of friends, trust me. I wish I could have been there to stop him." Carlson told KARE 11that Boelter voted for President Donald Trump in the 2024 election, and that he was a "strong supporter." However, Carlson said that Boelter had not talked about politics recently, and that he had not given his friends any indication he had an interest in state-level politics or Minnesota lawmakers. There is no indication he is affiliated with a political party. Minnesota State Patrol said they had found "No Kings" flyers in Boelter's car, which refers to the thousands of demonstrations that took place throughout the United States on Saturday in protest of President Donald Trump's policies—in response, further protests across the state were canceled Multiple groups carried out demonstrations against Trump's administration and a military parade in Washington D.C. on Saturday, which was also the president's 79th birthday. Minnesota Flags at Half-Mast Walz announced that the flags on all state buildings would fly at half-mast to honor Hortman. Walz said on Saturday: "Minnesota's flags will fly at half-staff in honor and remembrance of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman. She woke up every morning determined to make Minnesota a better place, and she will be greatly missed." What People Are Saying Minnesota Governor Tim Walz wrote in a statement posted to X, formerly Twitter: "Today Minnesota lost a great leader, and I lost a friend. A formidable public servant and a fixture of the state capital, Melissa Hortman woke up every day determined to make our state a better place. "She served the people of Minnesota with grace, compassion, and tirelessness. Minnesota's thoughts are with her loved ones, and my prayers are with Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, who were shot and wounded and are being treated." What Happens Next The FBI announced on Saturday they are offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Boelter. "Anyone with information about these shootings or Boelter's location should call the Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension tip line at 877-996-6222 or email The public is asked to call 911 immediately if they see Boelter. Do not approach him."
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Officers injured as Portland rioters breach ICE building with explosives and rocks
Multiple police officers were injured in Portland, Oregon Saturday night during a violent riot at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility. A mob launched fireworks, smoke grenades and threw rocks at federal law enforcement, as they broke glass and forcibly entered the ICE facility, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News Digital. Four officers were injured during the attack, though federal law enforcement was able to secure the facility. The riot came after the city hosted a 'No Kings' protest at 1 p.m., which officials labeled a 'large-scale free speech gathering.' Tens of thousands of people marched through downtown and returned to Waterfront Park at about 4 p.m., which is about five miles from the ICE field location. The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) declared an unlawful assembly near the facility at about 6:30 p.m. local time, warning it would use crowd control measures, including impact munitions or other physical force, if necessary. About 30 minutes later, PPB said a medical event was reported within the ICE facility and medical personnel needed to enter. 6 Armed US Customs and Border Protection agents point less-lethal guns at masked protesters during a riot outside the ICE building in Portland, Ore. on June 14, 2025. AP 6 Hundreds of people take part in the 'No Kings' protest through the streets of Portland, Ore. on June 14, 2025. AP They warned rioters not to interfere with police, or 'force may be used against you,' the bureau wrote on social media. At about 8 p.m., PPB said officers observed criminal activity including assault and criminal mischief and would be making targeted arrests. 'Do not interfere with police action,' the agency wrote in a subsequent post. 'Failure to adhere to this order may subject you to citation or arrest.' 6 A masked protester receives medical attention after getting tear gas in his eyes during a violent riot against federal agents. AP 6 Law enforcement agents wear gas mask as tear gas is deployed around them. AP It is unclear how many arrests, if any, were made. 'Portland rioters are violently targeting federal law enforcement and we won't sit idly by and watch these cowards,' McLaughlin said. 'Secretary [Kristi] Noem's message to the rioters is clear: you will not stop us or slow us down. ICE and our federal law enforcement partners will continue to enforce the law. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.' The riot came as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) addressed the doxxing of its ICE agents on X. Posters pasted around the city include agents' identities, photos and addresses. 6 Law enforcement officers detain a masked protester during a riot that broke out in front of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement center in Oregon. AP 6 A protester yells as he is detained by Border protections agents. AP DHS said it will not be deterred from enforcing the law. 'We will NOT be deterred by rioters' intimidation and threats,' DHS wrote in the post. 'ICE immigration enforcement will only ramp up. The violent targeting of law enforcement in Portland, OR by lawless rioters is despicable, and its leaders must call for it to end.' PPB did not immediately respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital.
Wall Street Journal
an hour ago
- Wall Street Journal
Senator's ‘We All Are Going to Die' Gaffe Becomes Rallying Cry for Democrats
A one-sentence gaffe from Iowa's junior senator has become a line of attack against Republicans nationally, with Democratic fundraising solicitations, political ads, social media and T-shirts now highlighting her words heading into the midterm elections. Sen. Joni Ernst's response of 'we all are going to die' to a constituent who was complaining about proposed Medicaid cuts in President Trump's 'one big, beautiful bill' has also helped produce a 2026 GOP primary challenger for her and prompted several Iowa Democrats to announce bids for her seat.
