Officials have conclusively identified the individual who was involved in the widely circulated altercation on the Montgomery riverfront as Damien Pickett. Three males are currently facing charges of assault due to their participation in an attack on a ferry worker at Riverfront Park in Montgomery, Alabama, on the night of August 5, 2023.
The conflict initially started with a heated argument between a Caucasian boater and an African-American ferry co-captain, which eventually escalated into a physical confrontation on the dock. This altercation later drew in members of the public.
The three individuals accountable for the assault are Richard Roberts, 48 years old; Allan Todd, 23 years old; and Zachary Shipman, 25 years old. Richard Roberts is dealing with two active warrants for third-degree assault, while Allan Todd and Zachary Shipman each have one warrant for third-degree assault, according to reports from ABC News.
The victims of the incident have been identified as the long-serving co-captain Damien Pickett and an unnamed 16-year-old white male, who allegedly suffered a blow from the operators of a private boat.
Twitter users are expressing their support for Damien Pickett, as many are of the opinion that the altercation in Montgomery was unnecessary. They are emphasizing that the co-captain was simply “performing his duty.”
Montgomery Police Chief Darryl J. Albert explained that the altercation arose from a disagreement over a docking spot. The Harriott II riverboat, carrying 227 passengers, attempted to dock in its designated location, but a private pontoon was already occupying the space.
After waiting approximately 45 minutes for the owners of the pontoon, Pickett was dispatched to the dock to communicate with them.
The owners of the boat confronted him aggressively, leading to the escalation of the situation. Chief Albert emphasized that Pickett was fulfilling his job responsibilities by ensuring the secure docking of the cruise ship; however, the situation quickly spiraled out of control.
While Damien Pickett has not yet issued a statement regarding the incident, HITC managed to locate his profile on Facebook. Pickett is an alumnus of Robert E. Lee High School in Midland, Texas, now recognized as Legacy High School.
His Facebook profile picture depicts him in a cheerful pose in his captain’s uniform alongside a Harriott II life preserver ring. The photo is dated July 21, 2017, indicating that he has been associated with the ferry company for a minimum of six years.
Who Is Damien Pickett?
Damien Pickett is a ferry co-captain who was involved in the viral Montgomery riverfront brawl in Montgomery, Alabama. He was identified as the victim in the incident where he was attacked during a physical altercation between himself and a Caucasian boater, which later involved other individuals.
Pickett is described as a longtime co-captain and an alumnus of Robert E. Lee High School (now Legacy High School) in Midland, Texas. He has been associated with the ferry company for at least six years, as indicated by his profile photo on Facebook.
What Happened To Damien Pickett?
Damien Pickett was involved in a physical altercation during the viral Montgomery riverfront brawl in Montgomery, Alabama. The incident occurred at Riverfront Park on August 5, 2023.
A dispute over a docking spot between Pickett’s ferry, the Harriott II riverboat, and a private pontoon escalated into a heated argument. Pickett tried to communicate with the owners of the private boat to resolve the situation, but the encounter became hostile.
This eventually led to a physical confrontation on the dock, with Pickett being attacked by individuals involved in the altercation. The incident caught the attention of Twitter users who supported Pickett, stating that he was simply “doing his job.”
Montgomery Riverfront Brawl
The Montgomery Riverfront brawl took place on the evening of August 5, 2023, at Riverfront Park in Montgomery, Alabama. The incident attracted significant attention due to its widespread dissemination.
This incident originated from a disagreement concerning a docking space involving the Harriott II riverboat, which was carrying 227 passengers, and a private pontoon that had already occupied the designated area.
This disagreement led to a confrontation involving Damien Pickett, a co-captain of a ferry, and the owners of the private boat.
The situation swiftly escalated into a physical altercation on the pier, drawing the involvement of several members of the public. The altercation included an intense argument between Pickett and a Caucasian boater, ultimately resulting in an attack on Pickett. This incident led to Pickett becoming a victim of the brawl.
Three white men, namely Richard Roberts (48), Allan Todd (23), and Zachary Shipman (25), were charged with assault in connection to the incident. Richard Roberts faced two existing warrants for third-degree assault, while Allan Todd and Zachary Shipman each faced one warrant for the same offense.
Supportive messages from Twitter users rallied behind Damien Pickett, affirming that he was merely “doing his job” and that the brawl was unnecessary. Pickett’s reputation as a longstanding co-captain and his commitment to ensuring the safe docking of the cruise ship further added to the wave of support.
Montgomery Police Chief Darryl J Albert emphasized that the conflict originated from a disagreement over the docking area and escalated quickly due to the confrontational approach of the private boat’s owners.
This incident illuminated the tensions that can emerge in high-traffic zones such as Riverfront Park and the challenges that ferry workers like Pickett might encounter in their line of duty.
