Police: Clinton Supporter Lights Flag On Fire, Attacks Trump Supporter
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Police say that a Clinton supporter lit a flag on fire near a group of Trump supporters and attacked a man near the Clinton-Kaine event downtown Saturday afternoon.
The incident happened at the intersection of 10th Street and Penn Avenue around 4 p.m.
According to a criminal complaint, police were told Joshua Sturman was in the area to support Hillary Clinton, who spoke at a rally at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center later that afternoon. A group of Trump supporters had gathered on the opposing sidewalk in what police say was a peaceful assembly.
Sturman crossed the street and walked into the middle of the group of Trump supporters. The criminal complaint says the members of the group were standing close to one another, shoulder-to-shoulder. The complaint says Sturman then pulled out a flag and began to light it on fire.
The Trump supporters attempted to put out the fire, which "enraged" Sturman. Sturman then threw a Trump supporter to the ground and attempted to jump on top of him. Bystanders alerted nearby officers, and police removed Sturman and placed him under detention.
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The Trump supporter who was attacked told police he was afraid the flag had been doused in accelerant.
Sturman is being charged with disorderly conduct, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, and causing or risking catastrophe.