On Wednesday, July 5 at around 10:30 p.m., Portland Police responded to reports of a large group setting off fireworks and targeting passing motor vehicles with roman candles and other projectiles in the city’s East Bayside neighborhood.
According to a Thursday press release, when patrol officers arrived on the scene Wednesday night, the group discharged fireworks at the officers.
“I am proud of the work done by our officers. They have been subjected to attacks like these over the past few years during the Fourth of July celebrations and it is unacceptable,” said Portland’s Interim Police Chief Bob Martin.
“These fireworks have the potential to cause serious injury and death and we are again fortunate that no civilians or officers were injured,” Martin said.
Police made eight arrests in connection to the incident Wednesday night, consisting of three adults and five juveniles.
Mohamed Artan, 19, of Portland for Refusal to Submit to Arrest:
Chris Ravis Amisi, 21, of Westbrook, for Obstructing Government Administration:
Nathanael Mawika, 18, of Westbrook for Failure to Disperse:
The five juvenile males arrested are aged 14 to 17, and were all charged with Refusal to Submit to Arrest.
Additional units that were leaving the Eastern Promenade fireworks show were dispatched to the scene to assist the responding officers.
There was a more than hour long standoff between officers and the large crowd that had gathered on the basketball courts, athletic fields and roads near the area of Fox Street and Anderson Street.
As officers gave dispersal orders and attempted to move them away from the area, the crowd continued to fire projectiles at the police.
Footage of the incident was shared to Twitter by WGME reporter Johnny Maffei, with the video blurred due to minor participants.
Thursday’s press release states that officers were forced to deploy pepper balls at the crowd to prevent from being attacked, but that officers did not target individuals when deploying the non-lethal crowd dispersal irritant.
Order was restored just before midnight, when most of the crowd dispersed as officers began to approach on the crowd and make arrests.
Investigators will review the police body and vehicle camera footage to determine if any additional charges are warranted and to identify individuals from the crowd who evaded arrest.
The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office “inmate list” did not include the three arrested adults Thursday afternoon, indicating that they had been released.
The Maine Wire contacted Brad Nadeau, media and community relations liaison for the Portland Police, to ask if they had determined the immigration status of the three adults arrested in relation to Wednesday’s incident, or were consulting with federal agencies in determining their immigration status.
“We have not,” Nadeau said Thursday.
7 Comments
The best things are yet to come. Thanks Janet!
Fire hose. wash em right into the bay
B.S, charges. Hit them with assault with a dangerous weapon.
These were protesters. The recent France race riots. The people shot fireworks at old French, their police, burned cars, buildings, and looted stores, including guns. These guys here waited until the best chance to attack, so as not to seem like a terror attack. Thats why there was a “stand off” with police. A riot. Its why there will be no real consequences. What happened to the rioters during BLM? Nothing.
As far as “refugees” go, its difficult to say. There was a Chris Amisi who graduated Pine Tree Academy in 2020. A Mohammed Artan who graduated Deering HS in 2021. Theoretically, the other teens may be refugees/Seekers and released for being unaccustomed to our ways. Regardless, whoever they are, these fine young lads knew enough about Western culture that launching explosives at people and cops was not our accepted method of celebrating Independence Day. Or its a coincidence and these guys simply share the same name. Who knows. Good on the cops for being cowards and refusing to press real charges. You make us old Americans proud as ever.
They are innocent! They didn’t even catch the real suspects and folks who shot the fireworks! This is bullshit system is trying to fuck these kids over!
Fact Checker activated. Good boys. Didn’t do anything wrong. Folks. The System!! >:(
Nadeau hasn’t checked their immigration status. Why not?