Blue Lives Matter meets Black Lives Matter in Gustine in confrontation that gets physical
Blue Lives Matter supporters and Black Lives Matter supporters squared off Sunday afternoon in Gustine in a confrontation that got physical.
No one was detained or arrested, Gustine police Lt. Sam Joseph said, but a report has been forwarded to the Merced County District Attorney’s Office and the investigation was ongoing Tuesday.
Video clips showing the altercation have been circulating on social media platforms.
Confrontation
Police were called to the area of 5th Street and Grove Avenue at about 12:50 p.m. Sunday. A group of about 20 Blue Lives Matter supporters had been peacefully demonstrating there since about noon, Joseph said. When a group of about three to four Black Lives Matter supporters arrived in the area, the groups reportedly began shouting at each other from across the street.
The Black Lives Matter supporters crossed the street, Joseph said. The shouting continued before there was a physical altercation between a 19-year-old male from the Black Lives Matter group and a 62-year-old male from the Blue Lives Matter group, Joseph said. The 19-year-old suffered facial injuries and was treated by paramedics at the scene.
Joseph said two 18-year-old females from the Black Lives Matter group appeared to be distraught following the confrontation, but did not report any physical injuries to police.
Joseph did not release any names, citing an ongoing investigation.
Gustine Police Chief Ruben Chavez said the same group of Blue Lives Matter supporters reportedly took part in a similar demonstration in Turlock the previous day. Chavez said it is also believed that people in both groups are from out of town.
A Change.org petition titled “Justice for Gustine Teens” alleges that the three teens were physically assaulted by several older men. The petition is calling on the community to hold the men and police department accountable for the assault.
‘Trying to maintain order’
The first Gustine police officer arrived on scene just minutes after being dispatched but did not witness the physical altercation. “When he got there he was just trying to maintain order,” Joseph said.
The officer requested backup from the Newman Police Department, Joseph said. Upon seeing the injured teenager, the officer instructed the Black Lives Matter supporters to sit in the back of an open police car as a way to protect them from the larger group.
Two Newman police officers helped keep the groups separated during the investigation. After taking statements from those reportedly involved in the physical confrontation as well as witnesses, the officer instructed the groups to disperse which they did without incident, according to police.
Joseph said police have identified four individuals as both suspects and victims in the incident. A report has been sent to the Merced County District Attorney’s Office for review, according to police.
More video?
Chavez, the police chief, said authorities were unable to determine what exactly occurred between the two groups which led to the physical altercation.
Anyone with information about the incident or full unedited video is asked to contact the Gustine Police Department or the District Attorney’s Office.
“We would like to see the entire version because there was something that occurred prior to them coming into contact with each other,” Chavez said.
Previous protest
Chavez said that just a few weeks ago Black Lives Matter supporters held a peaceful protest in the city. Chavez said he and other officers met with the protesters and intervened when a few people tried to “stir things up.”
Chavez said the demonstrators brought pizza and beverages for officers as a thank you.
“We want you to protest and use all of your First Amendment right to express yourself,” Chavez said.
This story was originally published June 30, 2020 at 7:08 PM.