Suspected Driver in Charlottesville Tragedy Arrested and Charged With Second-Degree Murder
#BREAKING: New video emerges of car that crashed into pedestrians at rally in #Charlottesville VA (ABC) pic.twitter.com/69GNBoCaoW
— News Media Watchdog (@RealNMWD) August 12, 2017
Police in Charlottesville, Va., have arrested the suspected driver who used his car to plow into demonstrators at a white nationalist rally on Saturday (Aug. 12).
According to the Washington Post, the suspect in question is James Alex Fields, Jr. The 20-year-old man was placed in custody after the incident and held at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail. Fields, who is a registered Republican hailing from Maumee, Ohio, is facing numerous charges including suspicion of second-degree murder, hit and run and malicious wounding. He is currently being held without bail.
As we reported earlier, one person was killed and 19 others were injured when a speeding car slammed into counter-protesters. The driver then backs his car up and flees the scene but police were able to capture him shortly after. Fields is believed to be the man behind the wheel of the Dodge Challenger that caused the fatalities at the scene.
The incident happened after white nationalists and members of the KKK clashed with counter-protesters from groups as diverse as Black Lives Matters and members of the clergy. The rally was eventually shut down by police after Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency in the city and police ordered the crowds to evacuate Lee Park, where a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee is slated to be removed.
The rally has drawn the ire from politicians, celebrities, social activists and concerned folks on social media. NBA star LeBron James was among those who denounced the rally in Charlottesville.
"It's sad what's going on in Charlottesville. Is this the direction our country is heading? Make America Great Again huh?! He said that" he tweeted, adding, "Our youth deserves better!! Flat out."