Authorities address Montgomery riverboat brawl in new press conference
Today (Aug. 8), Montgomery, AL authorities held a press conference to provide a detailed account of what sparked a massive fight at the city’s Riverfront Park this past Saturday (Aug. 5). Mayor Steven Reed began by acknowledging all who were involved in sorting the matter before addressing the individuals who engaged in the brawl, which has since taken over much of social media with footage from virtually every vantage point possible.
“As you all know, we had an unfortunate event take place over the weekend in downtown Montgomery on our riverfront,” he stated. “It was something that was brought on by reckless individuals who did not use good judgement and caused an event that certainly was avoidable.”
Following Reed’s message, Police Chief Darryl J. Albert provided details on the incident, which began when the popular Harriott II riverboat was carrying 227 passengers and was looking to dock in its designated area. Upon seeing a private vessel owned by a white family, the riverboat’s Black co-captain, Damien Pickett, attempted to contact the owners via a PA system for 45 minutes.
“They… responded with obscene gestures, curse words, and taunting,” Albert explained. “The co-captain was then picked up by a separate vessel and brought to the pier in an attempt to have a conversation with the private boat owners and/or have those boats moved, so the Harriett could dock. A confrontation ensued… Mr. Pickett, the co-captain, [was] attacked by several members of the private boat. Several members of the Harriott II came to Mr. Pickett’s defense, engaging in what we all have seen since on social media.”
Albert then revealed that 13 individuals were detained and ultimately released following the melee. Three males from the private boat party, 48-year-old Richard Roberts, 23-year-old Allen Todd, and 25-year-old Zachary Shipman are either in custody or expected to turn themselves in on warrants for third-degree assault misdemeanor charges. Reggie Gray, a 42-year-old Black male who was said to have wielded a white folding chair, was asked to contact authorities.
