An incident that took place in Weed on Saturday evening has caused an uproar on social media and in the local community.
An incident that took place in Weed on Saturday evening has caused an uproar on social media and in the local community. Videos circulating on Facebook show Weed Police Department officers responding to the scene of a physical altercation as a crowd quickly gathers. As the onlookers become more unruly, a Weed PD officer is seen and heard shouting, “Go ahead, you want to threaten me, I will [expletive] start shooting people.”
Two people were arrested in the incident, though the names of the two individuals have not yet been released, said WPD Sergeant Justin Mayberry. WPD shared a statement to its Facebook page on Monday, which reads, “On July 21st, 2018 just after 11 p.m., the Weed Police Department responded to reports of a physical fight between multiple persons at 192 Main St., where a concert had just ended. Three officers responded to the scene and found an active physical fight with a growing crowd.
“While trying to stop the physical altercation, which had moved down the block to a private parking lot at a commercial/residential apartment complex, officers arrested two people. The crowd attempted to dissuade officers’ attempts to take the subjects into custody. Officers arrested an adult male and an adult female for obstructing and resisting a peace officer during the incident.
“During the confrontation, members of the surrounding crowd failed to listen to the officer’s commands stay back and remained confrontational. The crowds’ actions posed a safety risk to the officers attempting to deal with combative subjects, and taking persons into custody. Additional officers responded to the scene from the California Highway Patrol and Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office to assist in dispersing the crowd.
“Weed Police Department has become aware of videos on social media, as well as receiving messages via social media regarding the incident. One video appears to begin after the two arrests have been made, near the end of the altercation. The case, as it relates to parties involved in the physical altercation, is still under investigation. Weed Police Department administration will be reviewing the video that was posted on social media as well as body camera footage, in review of the incident.”
Michelle Goldsmith, owner-operator of the Weed Palace Theater – where the concert took place prior to the altercation – stated, “I was not outside for what occurred down the block from my establishment. The event was nice, and the safety of our patrons and community is very important to us here. There were well trained security at our door. The problem was taken care of by local authorities. We’re thankful things concluded with everyone safe.”
While Mayberry hopes to get more information about the incident to the public as soon as possible, he explained that incidents with numerous people involved do take more time to investigate.
Two investigations into the incident are ongoing, Mayberry related: a criminal investigation and an administrative one. Part of the timeline for the inquiries depends on when people can be scheduled to come into the police department to give their statements on the events that took place, Mayberry said. If people have to reschedule their appointments, the investigation may be prolonged. He added that the statements of both officers and witnesses are very important in the ongoing process.
Credit: www.siskiyoudaily.com
