Charges will not be filed against Fort Worth protesters accused of rioting, police say
Fort Worth police will not pursue riot participation charges against about 50 protesters who were arrested during a demonstration on May 31.
Police made the arrests downtown after SWAT officers used tear gas to disperse a crowd of protesters following an hours-long peaceful standoff on the West 7th Street bridge.
Police Chief Ed Kraus said protesters threw bottles of bleach and frozen water bottles at officers at about 10 p.m. A firework was also detonated about that time, Kraus said. Police deployed tear gas about 30 minutes later.
Kraus said Monday night that the protests in Fort Worth have been peaceful since then.
“The protesters have expressed their anger over police misconduct and have demanded changes,” Kraus wrote in a statement. “The cry to reform the police profession is echoing across our nation, and we must start here at home.”
“Words are a start, but must be backed up with action. To that end, I am dropping all charges for rioting that have resulted from the protests in Fort Worth,” Kraus wrote.
No one was charged. Charging decisions are made by the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office.
Police will notify the May 31 arrestees in letters that they will not be charged.
“This is just one step on a long journey, but I hope it shows that the FWPD is committed to walking the path of reform with our community,” Kraus wrote.
Jail records indicated 42 protesters were arrested, although police said 50 people were. Most lived in North Texas, although many came from other parts of Tarrant and surrounding counties, according to Tarrant County Jail records.
Police said the department would pursue charges in any cases of vandalism, criminal mischief and theft.
This story was originally published June 8, 2020 at 11:39 PM.
