ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – Four people face criminal charges after a July protest in west St. Louis County, during which police say some officers were assaulted or injured.
The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office formally issued a criminal summons on Monday for the following individuals facing criminal charges:
Luke Adams, 22, of Festus, Missouri
Jad Aqrabawi, 20, of St. Charles, Missouri
Malak Hamed, 18, of Ballwin, Missouri
Claire Howell, 20, of Belleville, Illinois
According to a probable cause statement from the St. Louis County Police Department, the four individuals were arrested in connection with a protest on July 24 in the 14000 block of Manchester Road during peak rush-hour traffic.
Investigators say that one officer used a megaphone to order protestors from the roadway, asserting that they were violating state laws and county ordinances. One officer reportedly made a similar announcement eight times.
The probable cause statement indicates that three other officers attempted to get individuals off of Manchester Road before the protest escalated to various assaults and injuries.
Hamed is accused of yelling an expletive at an officer and spitting in the officer’s face before she was arrested, according to the probable cause statement. She faces charges of fourth-degree assault, resisting arrest, peace disturbance and refusal to disperse.
Aqrabawi is accused of lighting a handheld smoke bomb with one officer in close proximity, which reportedly cause two small burns to the officer, according to the probable cause statement. He also faces charges of fourth-degree assault, resisting arrest, peace disturbance and refusal to disperse.
Howell and Adams are accused of trying to pull other protestors away from officers while protestors blocked Manchester Road, according to the probable cause statement. Both face charges of face charges of fourth-degree assault, resisting/interfering with arrest, peace disturbance and refusal to disperse.
A criminal summons will order Adams, Aqrabawi, Hamed and Howell to all appear in court on a later date to be determined.
The St. Louis County Police Department’s West Country Precinct officers are handling the investigation.
