The armed NFAC had announced that they planned to protest on Saturday.
Three members of an armed militia were shot in an apparent accident at a protest demanding justice for Breonna Taylor in Louisville on Saturday afternoon.
All three people, all members of the NFAC, suffered non-fatal injuries, according to the Louisville Metro Police Department. The shooter was also a member of the militia.
“Today, shortly before 1:00 pm, three people were shot and wounded as a result of the discharge of a weapon from someone who was participating in the NFAC rally in Baxter Park,” said Louisville Acting Police Chief Metro Robert Schroeder in a statement. “The Louisville Fire Division and LMEMS arrived shortly thereafter and transported the three victims to the University of Louisville Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. All involved are members of the NFAC and no suspects are pending.” .
Police said the investigation into the shooting was ongoing.
“This is a tragic situation that could have been much worse,” added Schroeder. “I encourage anyone who chooses to exercise their Second Amendment rights to do so responsibly.”
Louisville police released surveillance footage of the shooting showing dozens of NFAC members circling the park when the apparently accidental discharge occurs and some people fall to the ground injured.
The NFAC, which is short for “Not F ——- Around Coalition,” marched in full military uniform and carried semi-automatic weapons to draw attention to Taylor’s fatal police shooting in March.
The 26-year-old EMT was killed in her own home when police executed a “do not touch” order looking for a drug trafficker. Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, opened fire on the police, believing that someone was entering the house. Taylor was shot at least eight times when police returned fire.
For months, protesters have asked to arrest and charge the three officers who participated in the shooting. The protests grew in intensity after the police murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May.
Officer Brett Hankison was fired last month for violating the procedure when he shot Taylor.
Louisville police had said they were ready for protests in the city on Saturday and closed the roads as a precautionary measure to allow NFAC members and others to march.
“The LMPD remains committed to the peaceful expression of opinion under the First Amendment. As we have done for several weeks, there will be no need for police intervention as long as there is no threat to public safety,” police said in a statement on Friday. “We will not tolerate street barricades by non-police officers, who impede traffic or attempt to threaten or compel people who are not participating in the protests from their intended destination.”
Counter-protesters, a far-right militia called Thee Percenters, also appeared in Saturday’s protest.
Joshua Hoyos of ABC News contributed to this report.
.
