People receive first aid after a car ran into a crowd of protesters in Charlottesville, Va., on Saturday. The car struck the silver vehicle pictured, sending marchers into the air. Paul J. Richards/AFP/Getty ImagesAt least three persons died and about 35 were injured on Saturday in a day of clashes at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Governor Terry McAuliffe said one of those killed was a 32-year-old female pedestrian. She was hit by a car that plowed into marchers.
NPR reported that the driver of the car, James Alex Fields from Ohio, is being held on charges including second degree murder. Police say he’s from Ohio.
A short time after the violence erupted, a police helicopter crashed, killing two troopers. Associated Press said the helicopter was assisting law enforcement officers monitoring the rally.
The officers killed were Lt. H. Jay Cullen, 48, of Midlothian, Va. and trooper-pilot Berke M.M. Bates, 40 of Quinton, Va.
In video posted to Twitter, a silver car with darkened windows can be seen speeding through the crowd and ramming another vehicle, sending people through the air. The car then goes into reverse while marchers chase it.
Governor McAuliffe, speaking at a press conference, told white nationalist protesters to “Go home”, adding: “You are not wanted in this great commonwealth. Shame on you. You pretend that you are patriots, but you are anything but a patriot.”