During the “United The Right” rally Charlottesville , James Alex Fields ran his car into the crowd of people attending. Fields has since been arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder. At least one person, a 32-year-old woman who was crossing the street, died on scene and at least 19 people suffered injuries, some in very serious condition.
Very important for the nation to hear @potus describe events in #Charlottesville for what they are, a terror attack by #whitesupremacists
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) August 12, 2017
Here are a few details about James Alex Fields that you should know.
As reported by Heavy.com:
1. James Alex Fields, Jr. Was Booked on Suspicion of Second-Degree Murder and Other Charges
James Alex Fields, Jr. was booked and charged with one count of second-degree murder, three counts of malicious wounding, failure to stop for an accident involving a death, and hit-and-run, Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail Superintendent Martin Kumer told The Washington Post. Fields is 20 years old.
Fields does not appear to have a previous criminal history.
2. Fields Registered as a Republican in Ohio in 2016
The Daily Beast reported that Fields was a registered Republican, according to public records. He was registered to vote in Lucas County, Ohio and made his registration on January 23, 2016. He had been cited for expired license plates in May 2017.
3. The Charlottesville Police Chief Said the Crash Was ‘Premeditated’
Witnesses referred to the crash as a “deliberate act of terrorism.” Others said the car appeared to deliberately mow down pedestrians.
4. Some Officials Are Urging the Case Be Investigated as Domestic Terrorism
Some officials and politicians are urging that the case be investigated as an act of domestic terrorism. Sen. Ted Cruz tweeted this evening that the Department of Justice should “immediately investigate and prosecute this grotesque act of domestic terrorism.”
The FBI has since announced that it’s opening a civil rights investigation into the car crash.
JUST IN: FBI says it’s opening a civil rights investigation into the deadly car crash in downtown Charlottesville Saturday. pic.twitter.com/WMj6XH0FaE
— NBC29 (@NBC29) August 13, 2017
I urge the Department of Justice to immediately investigate and prosecute this grotesque act of domestic terrorism. pic.twitter.com/AwJLsfUEHl
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) August 13, 2017
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe had declared a state of emergency in the city because of violence that was breaking out between protesters and counter protesters. In fact, a group of white nationalists had just been dispersed shortly before the car rammed into the counter protesters who were carrying LBTQ flags and Black Lives Matters signs.
5. James Fields’ Mom Said Her Son Told Her He Was Going to an Alt-Right Ally, But She Didn’t Know What That Meant
The Toledo Blade talked with James Fields’ mom, Samantha Bloom. She told a reporter that Fields had texted her on Friday saying he dropped his cat off at her apartment and was going to an “alt-right” rally in Virginia.
She said she told her son: “I told him to be careful. [And] if they’re going to rally to make sure he’s doing it peacefully.” She said he didn’t say anything about the rally possibly being extremist and she had no idea he was involved when she returned home from dinner on Saturday night. She really didn’t know what the alt-right rally meant, only to think that it had “something” to do with Trump.