Press release sent by Baltimore Police Department regarding Sept. 9 arrest of Westley West

On September 2, 2015 at approximately 9:30 a.m., pre-trial motions hearings for the six (6) police officers charged with the death of Freddie Gray were being held at the Baltimore City Circuit Court for Baltimore City. Peaceful protests had been planned and were taking place in the downtown area. The police department had heavy presence in order to keep all involved parties and businesses safe. Additionally the police department’s mission was to prevent any illegal activity that would cause disruption to the city’s daily flow as well as potentially invoke any civil unrest.

On that day, at the conclusion of the peaceful protest that occurred at Circuit Court, Mr. Westley West lead a group of assembled protesters southbound on Guilford Avenue in the traffic lanes thereby blocking vehicular traffic. Mr. Westley West was wearing a distinctive long sleeve gray shirt with light color sleeve cuffs, a white t-shirt, white pants, black belt and black shoes.

The protesters then proceeded westbound on Lombard Street, and then southbound on South Calvert Street, all while walking in the lanes of traffic. With the protesters failing to utilize the sidewalks that are meant for pedestrian use, and deliberately illegally walking in the vehicular traffic lanes, their actions posed a safety hazard to those protesters doing so and also impeded the free flow of vehicular traffic in the area. It was then, that the Baltimore Police Department began receiving numerous complaints from motorist about the protesters hindering traffic by walking in the streets and stopping traffic.

The Baltimore Police Aviation Unit (Foxtrot) began making aerial observations of the protesters. At approximately 9:30 a.m., the unit’s flight observer started to record the actions of a lone protester, with a bullhorn, standing in the middle lane of 200 block of East Pratt Street near the intersection of South Calvert Street . That lone protester was later identified as protest leader, Mr. Westley West, who was wearing the distinctive gray long sleeve shirt with light color sleeve cuffs, white pants, and black shoes. Mr. Westley West is the individual who identified himself during a news media interview outside the Circuit Court building earlier in the morning on September 2, 2015. At that time he indicated that there would be peaceful protest. A subsequent follow-up investigation to this incident, further confirmed the identity of Mr. Westley West.

At the time, the downtown area was experiencing its morning rush hour as Mr. West deliberately stepped in front of a red 2008 Ford F150 pick-up truck. That vehicle was travelling eastbound in the 200 block of East Pratt Street in the center lane. Mr. West placed his left hand on the hood of that vehicle while holding a bullhorn in his right hand, and proceeded to walk backwards as the vehicle was still in motion. It appeared that Mr. West was attempting to stop the red F150 under his own manpower. The driver slowed his vehicle’s speed to avoid running over and injuring Mr. West. At the time Mr. West struck the hood of F150 with the bullhorn that was in his right hand. The driver of the F150 stopped his vehicle as Mr. West then deliberately leaned his body into the front bumper area of the vehicle. After leaning his body into the front bumper area of the vehicle, Mr. West stepped slightly away from the vehicle and proceeded to yell into the bullhorn that he had in his possession. Mr. West appeared to be agitated and his observed actions were violent and hostile in nature.

Other people joined Mr. West in the street and blocked traffic. As officers on foot approached the group, they began to flee on foot. Officers did not pursue the group.

Based on the above described events, officers obtained an arrest warrant on September 8, 2015. Mr. Westley West was charged with attempting to incite a riot, malicious destruction of property, disorderly conduct, disturbance of the peace, and false imprisonment, and failure to obey. That warrant was served on the evening of September 9, 2015 and Mr. West is being held at Central Booking and is awaiting a bail hearing.

Westley West (27) of the 2300 block of Flax Terrace Baltimore, Maryland

Youtube Video of incident: