Crime & Safety

Violence, Fury And Flames: Charlottesville Timeline

Here's a timeline of the violence as it unfolded at a Charlottesville, Virginia white supremacist rally that resulted in three deaths.

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA—Violence erupted as white nationalists took to the streets of Charlottesville to protest the removal of removal of a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee Saturday, but the deadly encounter began brewing the night before. Three people were killed in events related to the "Unite the Right" rally, including a counter-protester and two Virginia State Police troopers.

On Friday night, white nationalists marched with torches, and police kept the group and counter-protesters at bay. But chaos followed the next day as the two groups clashed in Emancipation Park to the point where officials declared an unlawful assembly and state of emergency.

A woman was killed and dozens others were injured when a car plowed into a group of people believe to be counter-protesters. Police have arrested and charged 20-year-old Alex Fields Jr., of Maumee, Ohio, in relation to the fatal crash.

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A few hours later, a state police helicopter that had helped monitor Saturday's events crashed in a wooded area, killing both troopers who were aboard the chopper. They were identified as Lieutenant H. Jay Cullen, 48, of Midlothian, Va., and Trooper-Pilot Berke M.M. Bates of Quinton, Va. Both troopers died at the scene.

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Local, state and federal officials have condemned the violence in Charlottesville, and the Department of Justice is opening a civil rights investigation into the fatal car crash. President Trump said the administration condemns displays of hatred, bigotry and violence on "many sides," not specifically condemning white supremacy.

Here is a timeline of how the events unfolded:

Friday

8 p.m. - Ahead of the demonstration, St. Paul’s Memorial Church holds a prayer service with social activist Cornel West.

9:30 p.m. - Torch-bearing white nationalists march through the University of Virginia campus. Protesters chant things like “white lives matter” and “you will not replace us" in the event leading up to Saturday's planned demonstration.

10 p.m. - The group of white nationalists clashes with counter-protesters at a statue of Thomas Jefferson. University officials say one protester was arrested Friday night and charged with assault and disorderly conduct. Several people, including a university police officer, were injured.

Saturday

8:40 a.m. - Protesters begin arriving ahead of the planned noon rally.

8:53 a.m. - West and clergy from First African Baptist Church march toward Emancipation Park, the site of the white nationalist rally.

10:30 a.m. - The first altercations break out, as two were injured, Virginia State Police say. The crowd continues to grow as more groups arrive.

11:15 a.m. - Police believe crowd members use pepper spray.

11:20 a.m. - Officials declare a local emergency.

11:35 a.m. - Officials declare an unlawful assembly.

11:52 a.m. - Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe declares a state of emergency.

11:55 a.m. - Arrests are made after the unlawful assembly is declared.

12 p.m. - Police clear Emancipation Park, where the rally was supposed to take place.

12:30 p.m. - "Unite the White" attendees move to McIntire Park after police clear Emancipation Park.

1:19 p.m. - President Trump responds to the events in Charlottesville.

Around 1:40 p.m. - A car plows into a crowd of apparent counter-protesters, killing one woman and injuring at least 19 people. The victim was identified as Heather Heyer, a resident of Charlottesville.

Around 3 p.m. - President Trump spoke in New Jersey, condemning the violence and calling for unity.

SEE ALSO: Charlottesville White Nationalist Rally: Local, State And Federal Officials Condemn Hatred, Bigotry

Saturday afternoon - A number of Republicans speak out against the acts of white supremacy, some urge the president to single out the ideology espoused by white supremacists.

4:50 p.m. - A Virginia State Police helicopter assisting with the events in Charlottesville crashes. The pilot, Lieutenant H. Jay Cullen, 48, of Midlothian, Virginia, and Trooper-Pilot Berke M.M. Bates of Quinton, Virginia, both die at the scene.

Around 9:40 p.m. - Police arrest and charge 20-year-old Alex Fields Jr., of Maumee, Ohio, in relation to the fatal crash. He is charged with one count of second degree murder, three counts of malicious wounding, and one count of hit and run attended failure to stop with injury.

10:30 p.m. - Police announce three more arrests made in connection with the events in Charlottesville. Troy Dunigan, 21, of Chattanooga, Tenn. was charged with disorderly conduct; Jacob Smith, 21, of Louisa, Va. was charged with misdemeanor assault and battery; and James O'Brien, 44, of Gainesville, Fla. was charged with carrying a concealed handgun.

Saturday night - Attorney General Jeff Sessions said the Justice Department is opening a civil rights investigation into the fatal car crash. The investigation into the car crash will be conducted by the FBI, the United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia and the civil rights division of the Department of Justice.

Pictured are rescue personnel helping injured people after a car ran into a large group of protesters after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va., Image via Steve Helber/Associated Press

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