Home News United States News Charlottesville violence: White supremacist Cantwell hands himself in
United States News

Charlottesville violence: White supremacist Cantwell hands himself in

Share
charlottesville violence white supremacist cantwell hands himself in
Share
Christopher Cantwell appears in YouTube video discussing police warrant against himImage copyright YouTube
Image caption Christopher Cantwell appeared in an emotional YouTube video discussing the police warrant against him

A white supremacist wanted by police over his role in violent clashes at a rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, has handed himself in.

Christopher Cantwell, from New Hampshire, faces charges of illegal tear gas use and malicious bodily injury.

He appeared in a Vice News documentary about the 11 August demonstration.

He has admitted pepper-spraying a counter-protester but says he did so in self-defence, according to US media.

Mr Cantwell and dozens of others took part in a torch-lit parade through the University of Virginia shouting racist, anti-Semitic and neo-Nazi slogans.

The far-right march had been organised to protest against the proposed removal of a statue of General Robert E Lee, who commanded the pro-slavery Confederate forces during the American Civil War.

But it descended into violence after the rally’s supporters were confronted by anti-racism groups. A car driven by a man linked to white supremacists later ploughed through a crowd of counter-protesters and killed Heather Heyer.

Mr Cantwell, who is seen in the Vice documentary denouncing Jews and calling for an “ethno-state”, appeared in a tearful YouTube video on 16 August asking for guidance about what to do in response to a police warrant against him.

“I want to be peaceful, I want to be law-abiding,” he says.

On Wednesday, University of Virginia police said he had handed himself in and was taken into custody in Lynchburg.

Contacted by the Associated Press, Mr Cantwell said he pepper-sprayed a counter-protester “because my only other option was knocking out his teeth”.

Police said he was being held on three charges – two counts of the illegal use of tear gas or other gases and one count of malicious bodily injury with a “caustic substance”. If convicted, he could face several years in prison.

p05cmrwt

Media playback is unsupported on your device

Media captionCandlelit vigil held in Charlottesville

Share

Leave a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Articles
JD Vance Gets Ripped For Cutting Off Pregnant Wife Usha: 'Super Obnoxious'
United States NewsNewsPolitics

JD Vance’s Public Jokes About Usha Land Awkward — And People Notice

Vice President JD Vance is drawing eye rolls yet again after an...

The Most Bizarre Erika Kirk Conspiracy Theories
United States NewsPolitics

Rumors, Flights, and Old Messages — The Strange Stories Swirling Around Erika Kirk

Erika Kirk was thrust into the spotlight following the tragic murder of...

John F. Kennedy's Rumored Affair Partners Have A Salacious Place In History
United States NewsPolitics

John F. Kennedy’s Alleged Affairs: The Women Linked to America’s 35th President

John F. Kennedy's wandering eye is no secret at this point, but...

Kai Trump: 10 Facts About Donald Trump's Oldest Grandchild
United States NewsPolitics

Kai Trump: 10 Facts About Donald Trump’s Grandson

Her 2024 RNC speech supporting her grandpa, Donald Trump, made her famous....