Felony Assault On Police Officer Charge Made In May 31 Incident

WASHINGTON, DC — Metropolitan Police Department detectives from the First District arrested a suspect in connection with a felony assault on a police officer offense that took place May 31 in the area of Lafayette Square, according to a police release.

Lafayette Square was the site of multiple protests on the weekend of May 29-31, following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police, according The Washington Post. On May 31, protesters set fire to St. John's Church near the White House and the AFL-CIO building at 16th and L Street, N.W.

Around 12:01 a.m., police say a suspect threw objects at MPD officers who were in the 1600 block of H Street, N.W. responding to civil unrest. The objects struck the officers and one of them was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for serious but non-life threatening injuries.

On Thursday, MPD officers arrested Herman McNeal, 44, of Southwest, and charged him with felony assault on a police officer.

MPD is continuing to investigate this case. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call 202-727-9099 or text a tip to the MPD's TEXT TIP LINE at 50411.