Jeep runs down two women during protest in Visalia

Fresno Bee, The (CA)

May 31--»» Update: Occupants in blue Jeep that struck 2 women taunted Visalia protesters, witnesses say

A chaotic scene broke out Saturday during a protest in Visalia when a car struck two women in the middle of the road.

It happened around 3 p.m. near Mooney Boulevard and Caldwell Avenue.

Video of the incident shows a blue Jeep in traffic then accelerating directly toward two women, who were in front of the vehicle on the road.

Protesters could be heard shouting profanity about President Donald Trump over a blaring car horn when chants turned into screams.

The Visalia Police Department said it is investigating the incident but no arrests have been made.

Video shows three people in the Jeep, which had an American flag, as well as a Trump "Keep America Great" flag, attached and on display.

Visalia police declined to release any names of the suspects, citing an ongoing investigation.

But Visalia police public information officer Celeste Sanchez did add that none of the occupants in the Jeep are children of Visalia police officers, as inaccurately claimed on social media.

The Visalia Police Department Traffic Unit is handling the investigation.

The women who were hit by the Jeep suffered minor injuries, according to Visalia police.

Hundreds of people had gathered in the South Valley city to protest the death of George Floyd, a black man who died Monday at the hands of a white police officer in Minneapolis.

The officer, Derek Chauvin, was subsequently fired along with three other officers who were at the scene, and arrested Friday and charged with third-degree murder.

Saturday's incident in Visalia also comes just one day after a man drove into a crowd of protesters in Bakersfield.

Bakersfield police on Saturday arrested driver Michael Tran, 31, and booked him on attempted murder charges.

As identities of the people in the blue Jeep circulated on social media, Fresno State sent out a series of tweets condemning the incident in Visalia and shedding light that at least two of the occupants might be students at the university.

"We have been made aware of an incident that took place in Visalia today (5/30/20) that involved two people who may be enrolled students at Fresno State," the tweet reads. "As such, pursuant to campus protocol, the matter has been referred to the Dean of Students.

"If the people are confirmed as enrolled students, a thorough student-conduct review will be conducted ... We strongly condemn the violence that took place in Visalia."

___

Visit The Fresno Bee (Fresno, Calif.) at www.fresnobee.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.