'Patriots' Not Needed, Police Seek Armed Suspects At Protest

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Police are looking for three men who were seen on camera with weapons in an altercation Saturday night during protests in downtown St. Petersburg. And calls for car caravans and bikers to show up this weekend to help the city during a Make America Great Again rally are being rejected by authorities.

Video shared by the St. Petersburg Police Department showed a white man with the counter-protesters who pointed a gun toward people during a confrontation with the St. Pete Peace protest marchers.

People are seen running while someone yells, "He's got a gun!"

In another video, two Black men are shown with knives during the conflict.

Authorities said a Black man in red plaid carried a folding knife, and a Black man in jeans had a homemade sharp weapon commonly called a shank.

A white man in a black T-shirt and tan baseball cap carried a handgun, said detectives.

The St. Petersburg Police Department is asking for help identifying all three men so they can speak with them to understand exactly what happened.

This Saturday, a Make America Great Again Rally is planned in downtown St. Pete from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., according to the Community Patriots Tampa Facebook Page.

The group posted to its Facebook, "Join Patriots from around the state of Florida joining together to help the citizens of downtown St. Pete. This beautiful city needs help standing up against the weekly harassing and bullying of citizens, as well as the obstruction and blocking of roads. Calling all car caravans, calling all patriotic bikers and asking every patriot citizen from the bay area to dine in St. Pete Saturday night to dress in red, white and blue. The silent majority no longer has to be silent."

Chief Anthony Holloway said to the media on Tuesday that the St. Petersburg police force will increase its visibility downtown after the incident.

"That group that wants to come in this week, we don't need your help, we didn't ask for your help, we've got this covered for the people of St. Petersburg," said Holloway. "So if you're coming here to cause a problem, we will arrest you."

Mayor Rick Kriseman said he welcomes counter-protesting and protesting as long as it is done peacefully and the weapons are left at home.

"We are not a city that permits violent behavior or the destruction of property," said Kriseman. "If you destroy property or engage in violence, you will be arrested."