A Texas park ranger asking people to practice social distancing was shoved into a lake in a shocking confrontation all caught on camera. ...
A Texas park ranger asking people to practice social distancing was shoved into a lake in a shocking confrontation all caught on camera.
On Friday a large group of people were unlawfully drinking and smoking on the docks of Commons Ford Metropolitan Park at Lake Austin around 5pm, leading a ranger to approach the locals and tell them to stand six feet apart.
In cellphone video of the incident someone is heard telling the ranger 'I got you' and a man suddenly runs up and pushes the ranger into the water.
The man, 25-year-old Brandon Hicks, also fell in the water but clambered out and fled on foot.
Hicks was identified by a number of witnesses as the man who pushed the ranger and was arrested.
On Friday a large group of people were unlawfully drinking and smoking on the docks of Commons Ford Metropolitan Park at Lake Austin around 5pm, leading a ranger to approach the locals and tell them to stand six feet apart. Park ranger pictured talking to the group
In cellphone video of the incident someone is heard telling the ranger 'I got you' and a man suddenly runs up and pushes the ranger into the water
The ranger pictured standing in the lake after he was shoved in on Friday
He was charged with attempted assault on a public servant, which is a state felony, and damaging the ranger’s emergency radio, according to court documents seen by Fox7.
He was jailed on Friday with his bail set at $7,500.
Officials said that his 'intentional and reckless action' caused the park ranger to hit his head as he fell, leading him to become unconscious in water that was deep enough for him to drown.
Following that confrontation police temporarily closed the park.
Officer Justin Berry arrested Hicks and said he was proud to see how witnesses helped identify the assailant and condemned his actions.
'The patrons of the park actually came to the aid of the park ranger. Several people came up to the ranger and apologized for the guy’s behavior. That’s the Austin we know, and that’s the Austin we love,' he said according to the Austin Statesman.
'We just want to remind people to please be respectful and mindful that they’re working to make our parks a welcoming environment to everyone. ... Everyone’s been going to the parks, so the parks have been completely overcrowded,' he added.
'Our rangers continue to engage residents on the proper use of park facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. We ask that the public treat rangers with the same respect they wish to be shown to themselves. Public support is essential for Austin to meet the challenges of this pandemic,' Kimberly McNeeley, Austin Parks and Recreation Department director said.
Hicks fell into the lake along with the ranger but clambered out and fled the scene on foot
Hicks pictured running away from the seen as the ranger, dripping wet, looked after him
The park ranger pictured walking away from the set completely wet after being pushed into the lake on Friday
Texas has seen a slew of protests break out across the state in protest of lockdown orders and people deliberately defying stay-at-home and social distancing orders.
Friday marked the first day Texas began to reopen under Governor Greg Abbott orders.
Under phase one of the reopening plan public parks were opened under the condition of social distancing. Businesses like retail stores, malls, restaurants and theaters also started to open their doors on Friday but with limited occupancy at 25 percent.
The incident took place Commons Ford Metropolitan Park (above) in Austin, Texas on Friday
However, the move to reopen the state has been met with outrage from local leaders.
Texas Democratic Party executive director Manny Garcia said in a statement that Abbott's reopening plan was 'reckless, irresponsible and puts us all at risk,' calling it 'just the latest in the Republican coronavirus catastrophe.'
In Texas there are over 30,500 cases of COVID-19 and there have been 847 fatalities, according to state data as of Saturday.
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