NC Firefighters, Police Attacked with Fireworks

July 5, 2018
Four people were arrested Wednesday after Asheville firefighters were attacked with fireworks as well as responding police officers.

July 05 -- Firefighters in Asheville were attacked by firework-wielding residents late on July Fourth, police in the mountain city said.

When police arrived to help Wednesday, they too came under attack by "pyrotechnic mortars and Roman candles," the police department said in social media posts. Four people were arrested.

No injuries were reported, but several city vehicles were damaged by the explosives.

Police said officers were dispatched at 10:43 p.m. Wednesday to Pisgah View Apartments in southwest Asheville to help firefighters who were being assaulted.

"Upon arrival, officers were assaulted with the same explosive devices," the police department said.

Police used pepper balls, which disperse an irritant like pepper spray, were used to break up the crowd at the scene.

Four people were arrested, police said.

Angela Nichole Marko, 34, was charged with assault with a deadly weapon on a government officials, two drug charges and resisting public officers. James Lee Dontae, 19, was charged with resisting officers and possession of marijuana. Jonathan Andrew Mejia, 19 and Giovannia Alexis Mejia, 19, were charged with resisting officers.

Police are reviewing the incident, the department said.

___ (c)2018 The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.) Visit The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.) at www.charlotteobserver.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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