Smoke bomb suspect turns himself in

Posted on June 4, 2020
The suspect turned himself in after this picture was posted on social media (PHOTO:HOI-ABC)

 

By Heart of Illinois ABC

BLOOMINGTON- A smoke bomb was lit during yesterday’s peaceful protest at the law and justice center and after posting a photo on social media a suspect has turned himself in and has been booked into the McLean County Detention Facility.

The McLean County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest in an updated Facebook post about two hours after asking for the public’s help.

According to a another post from Bloomington Police, two people claimed that McLean County Sheriff’s Deputies had thrown a smoke canister into the group of demonstrators.

Our news partner, Heart of Illinois ABC reports that Bloomington Police say that was false, and that someone in the crowd threw the smoke device at the deputies who were providing security for the event.

BPD says the device and the smoke it emitted were harmless, and the event went on “without further problems.”

The post adds that the peaceful protest had a “great turnout with a large number of teenagers able to provide and listen to insight and opinions on current issues.”

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…