ZeroHedge.com<\/p>\n
No charges have been filed against a Florida man who was pictured in a viral protest video whipping out a gun before being immediately swarmed by police and taken into custody.<\/p>\n
In the video, a gang of “peaceful” protesters could be seen pursuing and attacking the man, who was found to be carrying a legal concealed carry permit.<\/p>\n
But after reviewing several videos of the incident, investigators with the Tallahasse Police Department ruled that the suspect was carrying a concealed carry permit and that brandishing the weapon was justified given the fact that he was being “attacked”.<\/p>\n
The suspect appeared at the Tallahassee protest over the weekend carrying a sign during a demonstration at the state capital. The man soon attracted a crowd who surrounded him and pelted him with curses, until members of the crowd physically lashed out at him.<\/p>\n
While several of the protesters told local media that the suspect threw the first punch, the video tells a different story. And police investigating the incident ruled with that.<\/p>\n
The Tallahassee PD released a statement relaying the facts of the incident. Police said a white man began “documenting the protest” and then was pushed from behind. A fight ensued, police said, and the man was knocked to the ground.<\/p>\n
“He got back to his feet and brandished a gun,” but “officers quickly engaged, took the individual into custody and peacefully dispersed the crowd.”<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
No charges were filed, and no injuries were reported as the suspect “was lawfully carrying a concealed weapon as a license holder.”<\/p>\n
Tallahassee PD’s statement ended with a warning, and a plea, calling for people to remain peaceful.<\/p>\n
“Tensions are very high, and TPD is calling for protests and actions to remain peaceful. Verbal and physical altercations can quickly escalate into tragedy. Everyone must work together to de-escalate conflict,” the statement said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
<\/div>\nPolice also released a couple of videos so citizens could judge for themselves. The videos clearly show that the gun owner was “knocked to the ground and under attack before lawfully defending himself.”<\/p>\n
“The evidence confirmed the physical altercation between numerous protestors and that the individual was knocked to the ground and under attack before lawfully defending himself.\u00a0<\/strong>TPD confirmed that the individual with the gun was lawfully carrying a concealed weapon as a license holder.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n