Man accused of assaulting police horse during Pittsburgh protests

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Man accused of assaulting police horse during Pittsburgh protests

Michael DiVittorio | Tuesday, June 23, 2020 11:05 p.m.

Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review

Protests against the death of George Floyd occurred throughout downtown on Saturday, May 30, 2020 in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh police on Tuesday arrested a man suspected of assaulting a police horse and vandalizing a squad car during Downtown protests.

Raekwon Blankenship, 24, of Crafton was arrested in connection with criminal acts that took place during the May 30 protests.

Police charged him with aggravated assault, criminal mischief, riot, police animals - illegal to taunt, propulsion of missiles, recklessly endangering another person, failure to disperse and criminal attempt - cruelty to animals.

Blankenship was taken to the Allegheny County Jail. His preliminary hearing’s scheduled for July 27 at Pittsburgh Municipal Court.

Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office and the state Attorney General’s Office assisted with the investigation.

Blankenship is one of several people recently arrested in connection with violent acts during the Pittsburgh protests against George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis.

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