Suspect Who Threatened Alameda MLK Protestors ID'd, Police Say

ALAMEDA, CA — A man suspected of threatening peaceful protestors during a Martin Luther King Jr. Day demonstration on Jan. 18 was identified on Friday, the Alameda Police Department said in a statement.

Johnathan Gee, 33, of Alameda was reportedly holding what appeared to be a long gun while he threatened protestors last month. City prosecutors filed a two-count criminal complaint against Gee on Friday.

"Since the day of the incident, this case has been a top priority for our investigating detectives," police wrote in a statement. "Investigators have spent hours interviewing witnesses, attempting to contact victims and combing through video evidence."

Once police made contact with Gee, officers said he admitted that he was the person who confronted protestors last month. Gee also identified the weapon he held that day as an "Airsoft" gun and said he later got rid of it.

"Measures are still being taken to confirm these statements," police said. "During a search of his home, several pieces of evidence were located connecting Mr. Gee to the incident...No firearm or replica weapon was found during the search."

Last month a car caravan of around 100 vehicles was in the midst of its demonstration and celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. when a man holding what appeared to be a rifle reportedly approached the crowd on Monday afternoon.

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.

Police urged the public to call the department with any information regarding this incident. The Alameda Police Department can be reached at 510-337-8340.