Murray, Ky.–Two men have been arrested for assault and wanton endangerment following incidents directed at a peaceful protest in Murray Tuesday night. One man was charged with pointing a firearm at protestors; the other was charged with spraying pepper spray on protestors and policemen and then trying to drive through the protestors.
Arrested for pepper spraying protestors and police is David Fryemire, age 53, of Murray. He is charged with two counts of wanton endangerment first degree, three counts of assault fourth degree, and five counts of assault third degree.
Arrested for pointing a firearm at the protestors is John Dickerson, age 55, of Paducah. He was arrested for first-degree wanton endangerment.
Both men were taken to the Calloway County Jail.
According to the press release from the Murray Police Department, citizens conducted a peaceful protest starting and ending on the Court Square around 5 p.m., during which they walked down multiple streets including both Main Street and 12 th Street.
“In an effort to keep the protesters safe, officers in patrol vehicles stayed in front
and behind the group to prevent vehicles from getting into the group of protesters,” the press release states.
The group then returned to the Court Square, and the protest ended around 9 PM. The Calloway County Sheriff’s Office and Murray State University Police Department were also present and assisted with providing safety for everyone. “The Constitution allows everyone the right to peacefully protest. The Murray Police Department’s goal is to provide safety and protection to everyone,” the press release states.
During the protest, officers responded to Main Street to a report of an individual in a
vehicle that pointed a firearm at protesters around 5:45 PM. Officers located the vehicle and
initiated a traffic stop on it. As a result of the investigation, John Dickerson of Paducah
was charged with wanton endangerment 1 st degree.
“As the protest continued, those involved in the protest walked north on 12 th Street. While
the protesters were walking in the street, vehicles traveling south were stopped. As protesters
were next to a stopped vehicle operated by David Fryemireof Murray. Fryemire
rolled down his window and sprayed pepper spray on multiple protesters. Officers were also on
scene, and 5 officers were sprayed by Mr. Fryemire as well. He then attempted to drive through
the crowd of protesters and officers, but he was stopped by officers.”
Mr. Fryemire was charged with 2 counts of wanton endangerment 1 st degree, 3 counts of assault 4 th degree, and 5 counts of assault 3 rd degree. The investigation into this incident is still ongoing. Both Mr. Dickerson and Mr. Fryemire were lodged in the Calloway County Jail.