42-Year-Old Black Man Arrested in Connection with Montgomery Riverfront Brawl
Reggie Ray, a 42-year-old Black man seen wielding a folding chair during a brawl on the Montgomery riverfront last weekend, has been arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.
Ray surrendered to authorities on Friday afternoon. He is the fifth person to be arrested in connection with the brawl, which took place on August 5th. The other four suspects are Mary Todd, 21; Allen Todd, 23; Zachery Shipman, 25; and Richard Roberts, 48.
Ray is the only suspect who has not been charged with at least one count of misdemeanor third-degree assault. Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed has said that more suspects and charges are possible.
The brawl began when a group of white boaters from out of town became upset after being asked to move out of a reserved dock. The boaters allegedly began yelling at and threatening the employees of the Harriott II Riverboat, which is docked at the same location.
Ray, who was at the riverfront with his family, intervened and tried to de-escalate the situation. However, the boaters allegedly attacked him, and he was seen on video swinging a folding chair at them.
MPD investigators conducted a “frame-by-frame analysis of the videos of the brawls and extensive interviews with witnesses and the victim [Harriott II Riverboat co-captain Dameion Pickett],” the city said in a statement.
The city also said that a former person of interest in connection with the brawl has been cleared of all criminal charges and is cooperating with the investigation. The man, who has not been identified by name, was seen in video as a shirtless, White man wearing a blue hat and sunglasses around his neck.
A city spokesperson said the man was actually attempting to de-escalate the situation, according to testimony given by Pickett.
Ray is being held in the Montgomery Municipal Jail. His bond has not been set.
DISCLAIMER: Contact us on [email protected], The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Sismomex.com. Check our editorial policy