Three men have been charged with assault following a large-scale brawl on the Montgomery Riverfront in Alabama, according to Montgomery Police Department spokesperson Darryl Albert.
The individuals facing charges are Zachery Shipman, 25; Richard Roberts, 48; and Allen Todd, 23. While one of the men is already in police custody, the other two are expected to turn themselves in by Tuesday afternoon.
The altercation began when a crew member of a city-owned riverboat attempted to move a pontoon boat that was blocking the ship from docking along the riverfront. The incident took place on August 5 at around 7 p.m. A video of the incident, which went viral on social media, shows a man shoving the crew member.
During a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Albert expressed his disappointment in the incident, stating, "The people of Montgomery, we're better than that. We're a fun city and we don't want this type of activity to shed a dark eye on what this city's all about."
The situation quickly escalated as more individuals joined the brawl and attacked the employee. The FBI has joined the Montgomery Police Department in their investigation into the incident, according to Albert. Additionally, police are seeking to interview Reggie Gray, 42, who was allegedly seen on social media using a folding chair during the altercation.
Albert revealed that approximately 200 people were on the riverboat at the time of the incident. He also mentioned that further charges could be filed as the investigation progresses.
This incident has raised concerns about the reputation of Montgomery and its commitment to maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment for residents and visitors alike. The police department, along with federal authorities, is working diligently to ensure that justice is served and that such incidents do not tarnish the city's image.
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