Richmond police respond to multiple incidents during ‘Trump Train’ mobile rally

Richmond police on Monday said that they were investigating multiple reported incidents resulting from a pro-Trump vehicle parade that passed through parts of the city on Sunday.

In a Facebook post, department officials said that one bystander accused a member of the parade of spraying a passerby with pepper spray from the window of a vehicle, while reports of an unoccupied vehicle being struck by gunfire were also under investigation.

“At approximately 4:18 p.m. an adult female who was at the circle reported, she was pepper sprayed by an unknown individual from a vehicle. A few minutes earlier, officers responded to the 1800 block of Monument Avenue (near the Lee circle) to investigate a report of an unoccupied vehicle struck once by gunfire. No other injuries were reported to the Richmond Police Department. Officers responded to clear the area and investigate the assault,” said Richmond police.

Sunday’s incidents were just the latest example of supporters of President Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden clashing in recent days; Biden campaign officials canceled an event in Texas on Friday and released a statement accusing Trump supporters of trying to run people off the road after video emerged of cars harassing vehicles taking part in the Biden campaign’s caravan through the state.

That conflict Friday drew praise from the president at a rally on Sunday, where he alleged that his supporters were “protecting [Biden’s] bus yesterday, because they are nice.”

“What the President tweeted in regards to Texas is reckless, dangerous and an intimidation tactic. It’s not something we should come to accept from our leaders. The people of our great country have the opportunity to turn the corner here. VOTE. HIM. OUT,” responded the Biden campaign’s national press secretary, Symone Sanders.

What the President tweeted in regards to Texas is reckless, dangerous and an intimidation tactic. It’s not something we should come to accept from our leaders. The people of our great country have the opportunity to turn the corner here. VOTE. HIM. OUT.

— Symone D. Sanders (@SymoneDSanders) November 1, 2020