Tampa Police made multiple arrests after subjects blocked the flow of traffic, for over an hour, along Dale Mabry Highway near W Spruce Street on Saturday, July 4, 2020 at approximately 12:21 p.m.
Police say participants of a planned protest gathered in the Walmart parking lot located at 1505 N Dale Mabry Hwy and began walking towards the intersection of N Dale Mabry Hwy. and W Spruce St.
At 12:21 PM, approximately 40 participants on foot, and several more in vehicles, entered the intersection of N Dale Mabry Hwy. and W Spruce St. Their actions immediately caused the normal flow of traffic, both northbound and southbound, to come to a stop. The protesters then erected a large plywood sign. While the intersection was blocked, vehicles were not able to travel and traffic continued to back up. Several citizens called the Tampa Police
Department to complain about the traffic obstruction.
Due to the active obstruction of the free flow of traffic, violations of City Ordinance 14-41, and the receipt of complaints from victims/citizens, the first dispersal message was issued at 12:56 PM. When the participants refused to disperse, second and third messages were issued. At 1:01 PM, a fourth message was broadcast for participants to disperse. Several additional dispersal orders followed.
Tampa Police Aviation advised approximately 100 participants were actively in the intersection, blocking the flow of traffic for more than an hour. Participants refused law enforcement commands to disperse, continuing to block the free flow of traffic along Dale Mabry Hwy. The dispersal messages provided the participants ample time to disperse and cease their criminal behavior.
At approximately 1:28 PM, officers identified organizers and leaders of the protest and made contact with them to effect the arrest(s) for violation of City Ordinance 14-41.
At 1:29 PM, officers advised objects were being thrown at them. Backup officers then responded to the scene. While attempting to lawfully arrest one subject, officers were surrounded and a large group began to close in on the arresting officers and the officers who were working to provide security.
Members of the group began pushing against bike officers, who deployed two short bursts of O.C. spray to push the group back. This was immediately effective, ensured officer safety, and allowed officers to safely conduct the
arrest.
Charges for those arrested include violation of City Ordinance 14-41, Resisting Arrest, and Battery on Law Enforcement Officer. During the follow up investigation, one of the arrested subjects was found to be in possession of a gun and was charged with Carrying a Concealed Firearm.
The vehicles of two citizens were damaged during the incident.
Arrested:Â
Jkhari Wilson; 12/11/1998 (Charges: Violation of City Ordinance 14-41, Criminal Mischief, Resist Arrest without Violence)
Chukwudi Uche; 3/31/1998 (Carrying a Concealed Firearm, Battery on a LEO, CO 14-41, RAWOV)
Jamie Bullock; 10/09/1998 (CO 14-41, Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, RAWOV)
Cierra Bates; 06/02/1989 (CO 14-41, Battery LEO)
Rebecca Gibbs; 02/13/1994 (CO 14-41, RAWOV)
Jordan Wright; 02/02/1996 (Flee to Elude, RAWOV)
Ahmed Osman; 06/25/1998 (CO 14-41)
Notice to Appear:
Nia Burton; 05/13/1998 (CO 14-41, moving citations)
Quinton Lore; 04/19/1991 (CO 14-41, moving citations)