APD makes multiple arrests during weekend protests

Press release from Asheville Police Department:

Asheville, NC (August 9, 2020): On August 8 the Asheville Police Department (APD) was standing by as the protest occurred, in an effort to ensure the safety of everyone present. At approximately 8:17 p.m. APD received a call from an employee at the Renaissance Hotel (81 Woodfin Street) stating that protesters were inside the hotel, protesters were blocking the guests from entering the hotel, and protesters were breaking the front windows. When officers arrived the protesters began marching down Woodfin Street toward the Buncombe County Courthouse. During the march, a number of bicyclists surrounded one APD vehicle. The officer driving the vehicle gave multiple warnings for the protesters to move and warnings of arrest if they failed to do so. The protesters did not move, and as a result, officers began making arrests. When they began doing so, a group of protesters jumped on top of officers and began assaulting them. Four officers received minor injuries. In addition, weapons including a knife and a window breaker were located and confiscated.

A total of six individuals were arrested and released on a written promise.

• Payton Claire Anapol (21), W/F, Swannanoa 
  • Disorderly Conduct
  • Fail to Disperse on Command
  • Resist Public Officer
  • Impede Traffic Sit/Stand/Lie
    
• Dennis Raymond Frostbutter (29), W/M, Spencer, WV
  • Disorderly Conduct
  • Fail to Disperse on Command
  • Resist Public Officer
  • Driving While License Revoked Not Impaired
  • Use Foreign License While Driving While License Revoked
  • Impede Traffic Sit/Stand/Lie
  • Speeding
    
• Lavender Batya Ross (23), W/F, Asheville
  • Fail to Disperse on Command
  • Resist Public Officer
  • Impede Traffic Sit/Stand/Lie
    
• Auden David Miller (19), W/M, Asheville
  • Assault on a Government Official
  • Fail to Disperse on Command
  • Resist Public Officer
  • Impede Traffic Sit/Stand/Lie
  • Disorderly Conduct
    
• Abigail Lynn Snow (23), W/F, Asheville
  • Disorderly Conduct
  • Fail to Disperse on Command
  • Resist Public Officer
  • Impede Traffic Sit/Stand/Lie
    
• Claire Louise Bowling (19), W/F, Asheville
  • Fail to Disperse on Command
  • Resist Public Officer
  • Impede Traffic Sit/Stand/Lie

This incident is under further investigation. If anyone has any information on this incident, or was a victim of a crime during this incident, they are encouraged to contact the Asheville Police Department at (828) 252-1110.

Press release from Asheville Police Department:

Asheville, NC (August 10, 2020): On August 9 a protest occurred in downtown Asheville. Prior to the beginning of the protest, representatives from the Asheville Police Department (APD) met with organizers to have a conversation and share the goal for a safe and peaceful gathering. During this conversation APD asked organizers to follow traffic laws, not block or obstruct streets, and remain on the sidewalks. Organizers were notified that individuals violating these laws would be arrested.

Once the group began walking through downtown they traveled in the streets, and used both bicycles and vehicles to obstruct traffic and block intersections. As a result, the Asheville Police Department arrested five individuals.

Melissa Ann Coit (37), Asheville

• Failure to Disperse on Command
• Traffic Infraction

Kaitlin Blue Williams (32), Swannanoa

• Failure to Disperse on Command

Lisa Louise Horigan (29), Asheville

• Failure to Disperse on Command
• Traffic Infraction

Charlotte Wilson (28), Old Fort

• Failure to Disperse on Command
• Traffic Infraction

Laura Elizabeth Nelms (32), Canton

• Failure to Disperse on Command
• Traffic Infraction