Montgomery riverboat captain charged with assault despite being attacked

The Montgomery riverboat captain who was famously jumped by a gaggle of White males and a lady in Alabama is now being charged with assault.

Damien Pickett, the Black co-captain of the Harriott II who defended himself within the notorious brawl on the Montgomery Riverfront on Aug. 5, 2023, has been charged with third-degree assault. He’s scheduled to be arraigned on Nov. 21, in line with CNN. 

Sure to this be aware. The dock captain attacked by shirtless thugs at a Montgomery riverfront dock is #DamienPickett, and he was simply doing his job.

Thanks, Dennis, for the reminder.#HeHasAName #RiverboatAttack #DontStartNoneWontBeNone # pic.twitter.com/ckmGomNg59

— Rochelle Riley (@rochelleriley) August 12, 2023

The assault cost was filed by one of many White males who had already been charged with initiating the brawl. Zachery “Chase” Shipman complained to authorities he was solely defending himself and didn’t need to battle Pickett. 

The violent episode popped off when the Harriott II crew couldn’t persuade the occupants of the pontoon boat, together with Shipman, to maneuver from their spot in order that the Harriott II may dock and let the riders off.

Pickett was captured within the viral video being attacked by a gaggle of White of us as soon as he tried to bodily transfer the boat. Quickly after that, a gaggle of Black people stormed onto the scene and bodily defended Pickett with a barrage of punches, kicks, and by throwing a number of the White folks into the river. 

Mary Todd and Richard Roberts, two of the unique White defendants, pleaded responsible. Two others — Shipman and Allen Todd — are scheduled to face trial within the coming weeks. 

Reggie Ray, the Black man who was caught on video smashing a white folding chair over the top of a White lady, can also be going to trial for assault.