MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA: A witness to the Alabama riverfront brawl has come forward, shedding light on the racial tensions and aggression that unfolded during the shocking incident. The altercation took place when a private boat owner and his family took over the designated docking space of the Harriot II, a well-known tourist vessel plying the waters of the Alabama river.
Crystal Warren stated that she heard a White attacker use a racial slur and threaten to retrieve a gun, according to legal documents obtained by TMZ. The incident led to the arrest of 13 individuals on the scene, with the focus now on three White men who are currently confronting assault charges - Richard Roberts, 48; Allen Todd, 23; and Zachary Shipman, 25.
Who is Crystal Warren?
Warren, an employee on the riverfront, revealed disturbing details of the altercation that took place between a Black deckhand, Damien Pickett, and the White aggressors on Saturday night, August 5, at Montgomery's Riverfront Park. Her account paints a grim picture of the events leading up to the brawl.
Warren stated that one of the White aggressors hurled the racial slur, "fk that n-word," after observing Pickett moving boats that were blocking the dock, reported Daily Mail. Warren also recounted how Pickett had asked the men to move their boat, resulting in an offensive response from the White men. Her son, Daniel, attempted to intervene and was punched in the chest by one of the attackers, Roberts, causing him to suffer bruised ribs.
Warren's testimony highlighted the racially charged atmosphere during the incident. She mentioned that Pickett was compelled to move several water vehicles parked at the marina to make way for the riverboat's docking, a task that seemed to provoke the aggressors' anger.
Three men are now facing charges over the incident - though police say they did not find enough evidence to support hate crime charges.
Jim Kittrell, a river cruise captain, expressed his belief that the attack on Pickett was racially motivated. "The White guys that attacked my deckhand—and he was a senior deckhand first mate—I can't think of any other reason they attacked him other than it being racially motivated," Kittrell said.
"All he did was move their boat up three feet. It makes no sense to have six people try to beat the snot out of you just because you moved their boat up a few feet," he said. "In my opinion, the attack on Damien was racially motivated," Kittrell explained, before adding that the rest of the fight 'was not Black and White."
The captain further mentioned that his crew would have supported Pickett, who is believed to be over 40 years old and dealing with diabetes and hypertension, in standing up against anyone. Currently, it remains uncertain who is purported to have used the N-word and issued the threat of obtaining a firearm.
Was Alabama boat brawl a hate crime?
Kittrell, along with law enforcement, asserted that the sequence of events originated when a private boat owner and his family occupied the designated docking area intended for the Harriott, a riverboat catering to tourists traveling along the Alabama river. Subsequently, the brawl, captured on video and shared widely on social media, has ignited discussions about racism, aggression, and the need for change.
Authorities have also reached out to Reggie Gray, the individual identified as the Black man seen tossing a folding chair, for questioning. Notably, Gray has not yet faced any charges in connection with the incident.
