Five individuals were arrested on Thursday after a group of protesters in support of Jaheim McMillan breached Gulfport’s City Hall.
Since McMillan’s death in October, the group has been seen protesting outside of the public safety complex in Gulfport. McMillan, 15, died from a gunshot to the head after a police officer responded to a report that a group of teens was waving guns at passing drivers. The name of the officer and the bodycam video has not been released at this time.
No interactions had been made between police and the protesters until Thursday, when approximately two dozen of McMillan’s supporters entered the building with the intention of speaking to Mayor Billy Hewes.
The Gulfport Police Department released that the dispute occurred after the protesters moved locations, leading officers to respond to de-escalate tensions. The group then decided to enter the building, with security camera footage showing protesters yelling at City Hall employees into speakers and standing on tables.
During the incident, one of the officers was struck by one of the protester’s bullhorns after trying to gain control of the crowd.
Five of the protesters were arrested on several charges for their actions during the disruption, including:
- 27-year-old Kevin Lavonn Cramer, of Wilmington, DE, was charged with one count of Resisting Arrest by Flight, one count of Simple Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, one count of Obstructing of Streets and Sidewalks, one count of Desecration of National Flags, one count of Simple Assault by Threat, one count of Intimidating, Impeding Officers, one count of Picketing which Interferes with Access, one count of Noise Ordinance Violation, one count of Disorderly Conduct, and one count of Obstructing Traffic. While being questioned, Cramer stated, “he is a professional protestor and has not worked in three years.”
- 34-year-old Natalie Nichole Gerald of Gulfport, MS, was charged with one count of Obstructing of Streets and Sidewalks, one count of Desecration of National Flags, one count of Simple Assault by Threat, one count of Intimidating, Impeding Officers, one count of Picketing which Interferes with Access, one count of Noise Ordinance Violation, one count of Obstructing Traffic, one count of Disorderly Conduct, and three counts of Simple Assault.
- 37-year-old Christin Adell Howe of Norfolk, VA, was charged with one count of Obstructing of Streets and Sidewalks, one count of Desecration of National Flags, one count of Simple Assault by Threat, one count of Intimidating, Impeding Officers, one count of Picketing which Interferes with Access, one count of Noise Ordinance Violation, one count of Obstructing Traffic, one count of Disorderly Conduct, and three counts of Simple Assault.
- 35-year-old Jeremy Marquell Bridges of Gulfport, MS, was charged with one count of Obstructing of Streets and Sidewalks, one count of Desecration of National Flags, one count of Simple Assault by Threat, one count of Intimidating, Impeding Officers, one count of Picketing which Interferes with Access, one count of Noise Ordinance Violation, one count of Obstructing Traffic, one count of Disorderly Conduct, and three counts of Simple Assault.
- 20-year-old Ariel Eloise Anthony of Los Angeles, CA, was charged with one count of Obstructing of Streets and Sidewalks, one count of Desecration of National Flags, one count of Simple Assault by Threat, one count of Intimidating, Impeding Officers, one count of Picketing which Interferes with Access, one count of False Information, one count of Noise Ordinance Violation, one count of Obstructing Traffic, one count of Disorderly Conduct, and three counts of Simple Assault.
