Accusations of racism and police brutality at a Central Florida block party attended by 3,000 people has led a police department to deny that several arrests made were due to the race of the partygoers, according to CNN.
Although the party was promoted on social media, neither the city of DeLand nor the county of Volusia issued a permit for the block party as it started on private property, DeLand Police Chief Jason Umberger said in a news conference Monday.
In a written statement posted on the Volusia County Sheriff website, it states:
“Starting Saturday afternoon and into early Sunday, an estimated 3,000 people gathered across DeLand for a party or parties that spanned several locations.
Volusia Sheriff’s Office deputies working alongside DeLand PD encountered several issues: A long gun pointed out of the passenger window of a passing vehicle, a loaded gun handed off from one convicted felon to another, agitated crowds of bystanders and bottles, jars, and bar stools used against law enforcement as weapons or projectiles.”
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood posted this video on Facebook along with a statement:
“Where else in Volusia County does a mob of thousands of people pack the streets?
