Two black women were hit by a car while they were protesting against a police shooting on Monday, based on official reports.
The Elizabeth city police department stated that Michelle Morris, 42, and Valerie Lindsey, 42, were the victims. The women were hit by the car driven by 41-year-old Lisa O’Quinn of Greenville.
How did it all happen?
The two women, who are black, were hit at about 6:45 p.m. on Monday. The police said they were peacefully protesting at the time.
The victims were treated at a local hospital and have since been released.
O’Quinn, who is white, has been charged with the following counts:
- two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill by the use of a motor vehicle,
- one count of careless and reckless driving, and
- one count of unsafe movement, as Yahoo News reports.
Demonstrations have been going on since April 21 in Elizabeth city
Demonstration have been held often since April 21, after the shooting of Andrew Brown Jr.
The black man was killed while he was trying to get away from Pasquotank County deputies. The officers were serving search and arrest warrants at the location. Brown was accused of possessing small amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine with an intent to sell, Yahoo News notes.
Any suspicion of a hate crime?
The police department stated that it is currently investigating whether there were “potential aggravating factors” involved in this assault. This could result in hate crime charges filed against O'Quinn.
The suspect remains in jail on a $40,000 bond. Her first court appearance for the Elizabeth city incident has been set for Thursday.