Man cited after scuffle at Black Lives Matter rally in Ferndale
A Whatcom County man has been cited in connection with an incident during a Black Lives Matter rally in Ferndale last week.
Chad A. Schmitt, 48, of Ferndale, was issued a criminal citation Thursday for third-degree malicious mischief after he damaged property that belonged to a participant in the rally, said Riley Sweeney, spokesman for the city of Ferndale.
“While much of the event was peaceful, at one point officers observed a scuffle break out between several people at Centennial Riverwalk Park,” Sweeney told The Bellingham Herald in an email.
“Officers intervened immediately and separated the individuals involved. Officers conducted an initial investigation on scene and determined that property owned by an individual had been damaged during the scuffle. Evidence was collected on scene, including video footage of the incident,” Sweeney said.
Schmitt was among a small group of counter-protesters at the July 31 rally in downtown Ferndale, where about 200 people were rallying in support of a youth-led March for Black Lives in the park along the Nooksack River in downtown Ferndale.
Video of the event shared on social media shows several men crossing Main Street toward the rally and physically shoving at least one protester.
Third-degree malicious mischief is a gross misdemeanor under Washington state law. Gross misdemeanors may result in up to 364 days in jail and/or $5,000 fine, according to the Revised Code of Washington.
Whatcom County Jail records show that he wasn’t booked into the facility.
Schmitt’s case will be handled in Ferndale Municipal Court, Sweeney said.
