Craig: Detroit Police SUV Drove Through Protesters After Attack

DETROIT, MI — Two Detroit police vehicles were attacked by people protesting police brutality Sunday night in the city, according to Detroit Police Chief James Craig.

Detroit police have opened an investigation into the incident, in which a Detroit police SUV drove through a crowd, knocking several people to the ground, Craig said Monday. Craig did not comment in length on the investigation itself, saying the investigation has only begun.

"There was an effort to block the pathway of police cars," Craig said. "The police was slowly moving, trying to get through."

Craig said the vehicle accelerated after the rear window of the vehicle was smashed, which he said officers took as being fired upon.

Video of the incident posted on social media showed one vehicle stopping and accelerating multiple times with protesters climbing on the vehicle. At one point, the vehicle is surrounded by demonstrators before it starts to accelerate. As it drives away, it appears the left side of the back window is broken.

In an impromptu news conference, Craig showed police video from inside one of the vehicles in which audible banging sounds could be heard. Craig said the noise was from protesters hitting the vehicle. As the sounds become more frequent, the vehicle accelerates forward. Protesters moved out of the way.

Craig also said there were reports that some protesters were armed with hammers.

Several people were hospitalized Sunday after the police SUV drove through a group of people demonstrating against police brutality in the city, according to reports by multiple media outlets.

ClickOnDetroit reported the driver of the SUV revved its engine before accelerating through a crowd of protesters.