Video shows lit, smoking object hit Phoenix officer at Trump protest
PHOENIX — Video recorded on a downtown Phoenix street Tuesday night shows a lit object that begins smoking after striking a police officer as the scene outside President Trump's rally descended into chaos.
The video was recorded by a reporter for The Arizona Republic at 8:36 p.m. MST from an area near the intersection of Second and Monroe streets in downtown Phoenix. That is where thousands gathered to protest the president and his supporters.
Seconds prior to the object hitting the officer, yellow smoke rises from something on the side of the street where the protesters are standing. While the scene already is tense, it escalates seconds after the projectile hits the officer, who is standing in line with other law-enforcement members.
More:Police disperse Trump protest crowd with tear gas at rally in Phoenix
More:Trump rally, protests: What we know now that the smoke has cleared in Phoenix
Protesters fanned to the east and west. Police said they deployed smoke, pepper balls, flash bangs, pepper gas and gas during the course of the incident.
At a news conference later Tuesday, Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams said she was told that protesters had thrown gas at officers near the Herberger Theater Center, which prompted the police response.
The Herberger Theater Center is a block from the Phoenix Convention Center, the site of Trump's rally.
She said she believed officers responded appropriately, given the charged and emotional nature of the event.
Williams added that the department would investigate their response.
More:President Trump rehashes Charlottesville response, bashes media at Phoenix rally
Officers in riot gear swiftly used aggressive crowd-control tactics, stunning many in the crowd who had no idea the show of non-lethal force was coming.
Police warned the crowd from a helicopter to leave or face arrest.
Soon after, two people were arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault on police and one person was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.
No one was seriously injured and no property was damaged.
Contributing: Kaila White and Megan Cassidy, The Arizona Republic. Follow Jason Pohl on Twitter: @pohl_jason