As is always the case, there were a lot of conflicting reports regarding the car that mowed down several pedestrians in Charlottesville, Va. Some eyewitnesses said the car had no plates, while photos very clearly showed a license number. Some internet sleuths traced that number to what looks to be the wrong person and have since retracted the story.
At a briefing Saturday evening, Charlottesville’s police chief confirmed earlier reports by calling the attack premeditated, and he added that police are investigating the attack as a criminal homicide. One 32-year-old woman was killed as she crossed the intersection where the car struck two parked vehicles after ramming the crowd.
President Trump sent condolences via a tweet.
Condolences to the family of the young woman killed today, and best regards to all of those injured, in Charlottesville, Virginia. So sad!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 12, 2017
Earlier, he had sent condolences to the families and fellow officers of two people killed when a Virginia State Police helicopter crashed Saturday near the city of Charlottesville.
Deepest condolences to the families & fellow officers of the VA State Police who died today. You're all among the best this nation produces.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 12, 2017
2 dead in helicopter crash near Charlottesville, police say https://t.co/HvDmZ8yK1A pic.twitter.com/NALoiTQXNu
— CBS News (@CBSNews) August 13, 2017
Here’s video of the police briefing.
Charlottesville police chief says violence was "premeditated," suspect is in custody https://t.co/rtTBkVpHdc
— NBC News (@NBCNews) August 12, 2017
#Charlottesville police chief Al Thomas says car crash killed 32-year-old woman. Dozens injured throughout protests. https://t.co/wGMkY911mH pic.twitter.com/7Mwd2oOPkp
— CBS News (@CBSNews) August 12, 2017
Police Chief: 35 injuries today. Woman killed by a car plowing into crowd is 32-years-old. Male suspect in custody. It was "premeditated." https://t.co/nLTJ7ZjRCS
— Niraj Warikoo (@nwarikoo) August 12, 2017
The police chief in #Charlottesville is already saying the driver's actions were premeditated, and the footage shows willful deliberation.
— Ron Hogan (@RonHogan) August 12, 2017
CNN is reporting that the man in custody is James Alex Fields, Jr., of Ohio. The car photographed clearly showed an Ohio plate and license number.
James Alex Fields Jr., 20, held on suspicion of 2nd-degree murder in car crash in Charlottesville, VA, police say https://t.co/GA8E7V5KwQ pic.twitter.com/ED0KqoqI8p
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) August 13, 2017
CNN reports:
The suspect being held in a Virginia jail in connection with a deadly crash near a scheduled rally of white nationalists has been identified as James Alex Fields Jr., 20, of Maumee, Ohio, according to Superintendent Martin Kumer with the Albermarle-Charlottesville County Regional Jail .
Fields is being held on suspicion of second-degree murder, malicious wounding and failure to stop in an accident that resulted in death.
BREAKING: James Alex Fields Jr. of Ohio is charged with 2nd-degree murder; jail won't confirm rally relation.https://t.co/mMbXiCr5po
— The Daily Progress (@DailyProgress) August 13, 2017
Driver cuffed in fatal Virginia crash during white nationalist rally identified as 20-year-old James Fields of Ohio https://t.co/eC91SS3zV9 pic.twitter.com/m94k6xJX64
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) August 13, 2017
Suspect in Charlottesville, Va. car-ramming identified as James Alex Fields, Jr.: https://t.co/mISK5an9cU pic.twitter.com/Gt4MavVNS7
— Local 12/WKRC-TV (@Local12) August 13, 2017
JUST IN: Booking photo of James Alex Fields, Jr. @NBC29 pic.twitter.com/9nxtsvqNmt
— Henry Graff (@HenryGraff) August 13, 2017
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Update:
Sen. Ted Cruz has just released a statement calling for the Department of Justice to investigate this “grotesque act of domestic terrorism.”
I urge the Department of Justice to immediately investigate and prosecute this grotesque act of domestic terrorism. pic.twitter.com/AwJLsfUEHl
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) August 13, 2017
* * *
Update:
RIP Lieutenant H. Jay Cullen, 48, of Midlothian, Va., and Trooper-Pilot Berke M.M. Bates of Quinton, Va. pic.twitter.com/bN6afJFfhK
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) August 13, 2017
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