Police: Three arrested, officers injured following 'No Kings' protest at the Capitol

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- New details from the Austin Police Department confirmed three arrests were made following the ‘No Kings’ protest at the Texas Capitol Saturday.

According to the press release from APD, data also detailed there were several officers injured and “Use of Force” was reported. 

Austin Police said the information shared “is preliminary, and numbers and information may change as we gather a comprehensive understanding of the events that took place.” 

Below is the preliminary data from Saturday's protest: 

Arrests: 

• Ravigopal, Sanjay- Obstructing Highway or Other Passageway (Class B)
• Glasse, Julien - Obstructing Highway or Other Passageway (Class B), Evading Arrest or Detention on Foot (Class A)
• Hardin, Karrington- Obstructing Highway or Other Passageway (Class B)

Use of Force: 

• Pepperball used by one officer, one round for throwing objects;
• Takedown by one officer, assisting DPS on arrest;
• Takedown by two officers and assisted by one other officer to make obstructing the roadway/evading arrest 

The release said the use of force was reported as standard protocol and is going through the Force Review Unit process. 

Officer injuries: 

• One officer- Knee injury while making an arrest 
• One officer- Subject pointed laser in officer’s eye. Suspect not identified and no arrest has been made
• One officer- Left hand injury while making arrest 

Austin Police said the planned protest began at the Capitol on Saturday at 5 p.m. and officers were walking around on Capitol grounds in light blue vests to interact with the community. 

Both APD and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) joined together to safely block traffic to allow protesters to march through downtown Austin. Police added that while there was a small number of agitators, the event remained “largely peaceful.” 

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis thanked officers and DPS partners. “I want to thank our Austin Police Department Officers and Texas Department of Public Safety partners for handling this event with professionalism, dedication and commitment,” Davis said in the release. 

Davis also thanked the community for “keeping the evening peaceful.” Davis said, “through our coordinated efforts, we were all able to keep one another safe.”

As law enforcement prepares for the possibility of additional demonstrations in the coming days, there will be a continuous increase and visible presence of officers throughout the city.

The release reiterated APD’s support of peaceful protests, but said officers will take necessary action against agitators who engage in illegal acts that endanger public safety.