AUSTIN, Texas – A suspect has been arrested and charged with vandalizing the Texas Capitol during a Black Lives Matter demonstration last month.
Keegan Dalton Godsey, 23, of Austin, was arrested Tuesday after being charged with felony criminal mischief, riot and interference with public duties, according to a statement by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Court records list him as free on bond.
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Godsey's felony charge arose from what his attorney, Jessica Bernstein, described in a statement as “one alleged act of graffiti."
“He had no part in planning, inciting, or leading a ‘riot.’ He has no ties to any political organizations. He is just one of thousands of young people who went out to downtown Austin on the day in question to show support for the movement to end police brutality against minorities,” she said.
During the May 30 protest, monuments and fixtures were damaged, as well as DPS patrol vehicles, according to the DPS statement. The Capitol grounds were closed during the protests, and the DPS said several of its troopers were injured.
Following the protest, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott called in the National Guard to help guard the Capitol and reinforce state and local law enforcement officers.