Woman Accused Of Inciting Riot Beaten Up By Angry Protesters

TAMPA, FL — Tampa Police have arrested a woman they believe was responsible for inciting demonstrators to throw rocks at police during the protest along Fowler Avenue and University Square Mall on Saturday, May 30.

Detectives obtained video evidence of a woman telling protesters that she had rocks and urging them to throw the rocks at law enforcement officers.

Shortly after, protesters began throwing rocks and other hard objects at three police officers at the scene, causing them to take cover.

The woman in the video was seen standing next to a silver Hyundai Elantra. Detectives were able to trace the license plate on the Hyundai to Erica Schmidt, 31, who matched the description of the woman in the video.

On Friday, police went to the registered address of the Hyundai at 11727 12th St. in Tampa and found the silver Hyundai Elantra parked out front. After several phone calls and with the assistance of Schmidt's family, Schmidt came out of her home.

Schmidt admitted to being present at the riots and told police that she and her boyfriend transported the rocks to the riot. She said the incident became so violent, her car was damaged and she was beaten up by fellow rioters.

Schmidt is facing three charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement, throwing a deadly object, unlawful assembly and inciting a riot

The officers targeted during the rock-throwing incident included a Tampa Police officer with 24 years on the job and two officers with five years each on the job.