Alameda Police: Armed Suspects Confront Peaceful Protestors

ALAMEDA, CA — The Alameda Police Department has opened an investigation after receiving reports that armed suspects confronted peaceful protestors celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, police said in a Tuesday statement.

A car caravan of around 100 vehicles was in the midst of its demonstration and celebration of MLK when a man holding a rifle reportedly approached the demonstration on Monday afternoon, KQED reported.

"After the group entered a residential neighborhood, we began receiving calls from concerned community members who reported multiple individuals with firearms," police said.

Multiple calls were made to police Monday, with residents reporting verbal confrontations from armed people. The protest reportedly ended early at the home of Alameda District Attorney Nancy O'Malley.

"Out of concern for the safety of the protesters and neighboring residents, all available personnel were immediately dispatched to the area," police wrote on Tuesday. "While en route, officers received updates of the crowd’s disbursement. Once on scene, they began an investigation into identifying and locating the individuals with weapons."

No additional details on the incident or about potential suspects were released.

Police urged the public to call the department with any information regarding Monday's incidents. The Alameda Police Department can be reached at 510-337-8340.