02-05-2025
Officer struck in groin by metal bar after protest escalates in Frederick, police say
FREDERICK, Md. (DC News Now) — As protests broke out in Frederick on Thursday evening, four people were arrested after a small group strayed from peaceful conduct, the Frederick Police Department (FPD) said.
Around 8:45 p.m., officers responded to the area of Fourth Street and N. Market Street for a report of a group of around 20 people wearing all black and hitting vehicles with umbrellas. Several were wearing protective goggles and gas masks, a tactics commonly used by protesters expecting confrontation.
During de-escalation efforts by police, several suspects assaulted law enforcement officers, police said. One officer was struck in the head with an object thrown by a protester, while another officer was struck in the groin with a metal pole.
May Day demonstrations in US and around the globe protest Trump agenda
Four members of the protest group were taken into custody. They were identified as Joseph Eastwood, Andromeda Weir, Joshua Gainey and Jayla Draghici.
Three of the individuals including Eastwood, Gainey and Draghici were charged with assault on a law enforcement officer.
Officers recovered fireworks, laser pointers, spray paint, and other tools commonly used to destroy property or interfere with police. A nearby window was also shattered.
'Peaceful protest is a constitutional right we will always protect,' said Chief Jason Lando. 'But when individuals show up with a plan to assault officers and damage property, and bring the tools to commit those acts, that's not protected speech, that's a crime. We will not tolerate violent or destructive behavior in our city, and anyone who puts our community or our officers at risk will be held accountable.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
