WASHINGTON — About 100 demonstrators took to the streets of Winchester, Virginia on Monday night, sparked by the investigation into the apparent suicide of 20-year-old D’Londre Minifield.
On Sunday, two officers responded to reports of a fight. Police say Minifield shot and killed himself while running from officers, but protesters believe there is more to the story.
According to the police department, neither responding officer fired a weapon.
Winchester Police Chief Kevin Sanzenbacher says no arrests were made Monday, and the protests were mostly peaceful. The group gathered around 4 p.m. at Timbrook Park, and moved around downtown, sometimes blocking streets.
“It was demonstrators in the streets, blocking roadways and that sort of thing, but for the most part — orderly. There were no immediate confrontations with the police,” Sanzenbacher said.
“While the Winchester Police Department values the right to protest, we will continue to monitor the situation to ensure the safety of all of its citizens,” the police department wrote in an online statement.
Winchester police say the crowds broke up around 7:30 p.m. A vigil was being held Monday night for Minifield.
The department has asked the Virginia State Police to investigate the incident.
“We decided to invite the State Police in to investigate that, even though our officers did absolutely nothing wrong,” Sanzenbacher said.
The Winchester Star posted this video of the protest on its Facebook page.
