Off-duty security guard arrested for shooting into crowd of protesters
SEATTLE WA June 9 2020-– One person was shot and wounded Sunday after an armed man drove his car through a throng of protesters in Capitol Hill before opening fire when one demonstrator approached the man’s car window, authorities said.
The driver has since been identified as Nikolas Fernandez. He had a bail hearing on Monday in which his defense attorney said Fernandez became lost and found himself in the middle of a large crowd. When one of the protesters came up to the driver’s side window, the lawyer said Fernandez opened fire in self-defense.
The incident, captured on camera, was a surreal moment that occurred during another night of local protests linked to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
“Immediately, the first thing I am thinking is Charlottesville; Heather Heyer,” said Matthew Washburn. “People start trying to bust into his car to try to stop him. And he pulls out a gun.”
Video from the scene shows the driver stepping out of his car while holding a gun.
“Everyone starts dispersing into the building and starts hiding,” Washburn said.
Police say the driver then shot a 27-year-old man in the crowd. Within moments, officers arrested the man behind the wheel.
The Seattle Police Department confirmed Monday night Fernandez’ brother is an officer who works at the East Precinct.
Seattle Police say a car drove through a crowd of protesters Sunday evening{ } (KOMO News)
The victim was taken to Harborview Medical Center and was expected to recover, police said. He was currently listed in satisfactory condition.
“Everyone seemed OK, luckily,” Washburn said.
Fernandez works as a security guard at Niketown and for the past two years has been a member of Iron Workers Local 86.
Chris McClain, a spokesperson for the union, said they are holding off on making any snap judgments.
“We’re just not willing to take a look at 30 seconds of video or a couple of snapshots and say this is our opinion,” McClain said.
The iron workers union said Fernandez, who lives in Mountlake Terrace, has a trouble-free record at work and has been gainfully employed ever since he joined Local 86.
McClain added that his organization is committed to equity and for equal opportunity in the construction trades for women and people of color, and said they will be watching this case closely.
The victim’s name has not been released, but KOMO News crews recognized the wounded man from Thursday video of the protests as one who has been there on multiple days.
It was all part of another tense scene between police and protestors at that 11th and Pine intersection where Seattle’s East Precinct headquarters have become the focal point for the city’s daily protests into the killing of George Floyd.
Later in the evening as the clock approached midnight, the protests broke down into dumpster fires, explosions and chaos.
