An armed Black militia group was demonstrating over the weekend in Louisville, KY calling for justice for Breonna Taylor, when three of its members were shot. The three people suffered non-life-threatening injures according to the Louisville Metro Police Department. The shooter was also a member of the militia according to ABC News.
The organization’s founder, John “Grand Master Jay” Johnson, told the news station members of the militia were inspecting firearms before the demonstration when a woman’s weapon was accidentally shot.
“Today, shortly before 1:00 pm, three people were struck by gunfire as the result of a discharge of someone’s gun who was participating in the NFAC demonstration at Baxter Park,” Louisville Metro’s interim Chief of Police Robert Schroeder said in a statement. “Louisville Division of Fire and LMEMS arrived a short time later and transported all three victims to the University of Louisville Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. All involved are members of the NFAC and there are no outstanding suspects.”
The police said they are now investigating the shooting. “This is a tragic situation that could have been much worse,” Schroeder added. “I encourage anyone choosing to exercise their Second Amendment rights to do so responsibly.”
The department released surveillance footage of the shooting displayed dozens of NFAC members around the park prior to the march when the gun accidentally discharged.
Johnson didn’t comment on the group’s vetting process for members.
“I believe that everyone should exercise the utmost responsibility when handling firearms, but then again, we’re dealing with humans who make mistakes,” Johnson told ABC News.
The NFAC, stands for “Not F——- Around Coalition,” was marching in military-style clothes and carrying semi-automatic weapons. Johnson said they had about 2,500 armed and 300 unarmed militia members at the protest.
Counterprotesters, a far-right militia called the Three Percenters, also appeared at Saturday’s protest.
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