GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A man who allegedly threw a tear gas container back at police during violent protests was charged Thursday – and told police he shouldn’t have done it.
Dakota Vandertie, 26, was charged with misdemeanor obstructing an officer and disorderly conduct. An initial court appearance was scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
Vandertie was identified from video captured during the May 31 event in downtown Green Bay.
“What happened did not need to happened as things became violent. I recall the police issuing orders to disperse. I at first indicated that our vehicle had been blocked in so we could not leave. Really, I just got caught up as others were rowdy and so I became rowdy. I (expletive) up and should not have done what I did. When I saw myself on the news throwing the gas canister at the police I knew the police would be coming to speak with me. I did not intend to throw the gas canister at the police. I saw that it was going towards people that it should not have so I intended to just remove it. I must have just got caught up in the rowdiness as I picked up the gas canister and threw it at the police. This was not intentional as I could not see due to all the gas. I am aware that this could have injured the officers, but this was not my intent,” he stated, according to the complaint.
Crowds had been protesting the George Floyd death, when the scene turned violent. A convenience store was looted, plus multiple businesses and squad cars were damaged.
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