Flag supporter arrested confronting protestors

0
1289

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety Bureau of Protective Services (BPS) arrested an Irmo man around 7:15 p.m. Monday for disorderly conduct after he confronted a crowd of anti-Confederate flag protestors at the Statehouse in Columbia.

According to the BPS, Nicholas Thompson, 25, was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct after he and about eight or ten people got out of vehicles that pulled up on Gervais Street in front of the Statehouse and stopped in the middle of the street to confront about 30 anti-flag protestors.

The pro-flag supporters got out of a group of about 15 vehicles on Gervais Street that were headed toward Sumter Street. After exiting their vehicles they began to engage in an altercation with the crowd.

According to officials, BPS and additional law enforcement were able to contain the situation. The SC Highway Patrol, University of South Carolina Police and Columbia Police Department responded to the scene as well. Protesters remained on the Statehouse grounds and the law enforcement presence has been increased to monitor the situation.