Case Update: Multiple Arrests During Protest in Providence Division

Published on February 20, 2024

Charlotte, N.C. – (Tuesday, February 20, 2024) – The eight suspects arrested during Saturday’s protest are listed below along with their charges:

 

  • Nesa Tesfay (DOB: 05/26/1992) Disorderly Conduct, Failure to Disperse
  • Haile Tsaeda (DOB: 01/19/1985) Assault on Government Employee, Injury to Personal Property
  • Efrem Michael (DOB: 01/06/1972) Disorderly Conduct, Failure to Disperse
  • Gebrehiwot Adhanom (DOB: 01/01/1965) Assault on Government Employee, Resist/Delay/Obstruct
  • Luwam Tewelde (DOB: 04/21/1986) Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Failure to Disperse,
  • Weldegiorgis Petros (DOB: 10/22/1994) Failure to Disperse
  • Semer Keflay (DOB: 10/05/1993) Failure to Disperse, Going Armed to the Terror of the Public
  • Girmay Dawit (DOB: 04/30/1978) Carrying a Concealed Weapon

 

For more information, please refer to the following incident report: 20240217-1133-04.

 

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Multiple Arrests During Protest in Providence Division

 

Charlotte, N.C. – (Saturday, February 17, 2024) – Today, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) deployed the Civilian Emergency Unit (CEU) and made several arrests in an approximately 10 hour-long protest and stand-off.

On Saturday, February 17, 2024, shortly after 11:30 a.m., CMPD’s Providence Division responded to an unlawful protest happening in the parking lot of a business hosting an Eritrean cultural event in the 4300 block of Monroe Road. Protesters were on private property and were spilling out into the road, which prompted officers to close Monroe Road. Dispersal orders were repeatedly given to protesters throughout the duration of the protest, however they refused to disperse.

Charlotte Fire and MEDIC responded to assist.

Shortly after 3:00 p.m., CMPD Bike Unit officers attempted to move protesters out of the street. Several protesters threw objects and pushed back against the officers. Officers then deployed pepper spray. Multiple protesters and officers were treated on scene for injuries related to the pepper spray. During this time, a female protester struck an officer. She was charged with Inciting to Riot, Failure to Disperse, Injury to Personal Property and Assault on a Government Official. A firearm was seized from her person. In total, officers made eight arrests and seized two firearms over the course of approximately seven hours. The charges for all eight suspects included Impeding Traffic and Failure to Disperse.

Shortly after 6:30 p.m., dispersal orders were given again as protesters began blocking the entrance to the private business hosting the cultural event.

Shortly after 7:20 p.m., CMPD’s Civil Emergency Unit was deployed to disperse the crowds. The officers were met with violence and hostility with protesters throwing objects.

Over the course of several hours, the CEU gave multiple dispersal orders in English and Spanish and were again met with violence from protesters wielding sticks, rocks and other items.

Protestors then intentionally set fire to a nearby tractor trailer. The Charlotte Fire Department quickly extinguished the fire and contained the scene.

Shortly before 9:00 p.m., officers assisted with allowing the cultural event attendees to leave the scene. Protesters remained on scene initially but dispersed a short time later.

For more information, please refer to the following incident report: 20240217-1133-04.

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