Shaler man accused of inciting riot during Pittsburgh protests faces federal charges

A Shaler man accused of inciting a riot during the protests in Pittsburgh last Saturday now faces federal charges.

Federal charges of obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder have been filed against Brian Bartels, authorities announced Friday evening.

Bartels, 20, is accused of initiating the destruction of a police car outside PPG Paints Arena, including spray painting the car, kicking and stomping on it and smashing its windshield during the weekend protests over the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.

The car was set on fire after others joined him, federal authorities said.

“His backpack loaded with rocks and spray paint, Bartels came to Saturday’s protest in Pittsburgh to incite violence,” U.S. Attorney Scott Brady said. “Bartels’s actions turned an otherwise peaceful protest into a violent riot that resulted in an evening of destruction throughout Downtown Pittsburgh.

“Anyone who would do the same should know this: If you try to hijack a peaceful protest for your own violent agenda, we will use every tool at our disposal to find you and prosecute you.”

According to Bartels’ arrest papers, the planned protest along Centre Avenue above the arena turned violent about 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

Bartels could be seen on video near the arena walking within a crowd of protesters wearing a black bandana and a black hooded sweatshirt. He made his way to an unoccupied police vehicle, pulled out a can of spray paint from the backpack and started to deface the cruiser, the documents indicate.

He then kicked the car and threw an object that broke a window. At least three other people joined in.

The video and criminal complaint was posted on the Department of Justice’s website.

Authorities say Bartels jumped on the hood, and continued to break the windshield and threw more objects at it.

Mounted police arrived and tried to protect the car, but some in the crowd threw rocks and other objects at them forcing a retreat. The car eventually was set on fire, according to Bartels’ arrest papers.

Authorities said Bartels admitted to city police that he bought several spray paint cans and brought several rocks to the protest in his backpack, and he was the man seen on video causing the damage.

He told investigators his motive for the destruction was, in part, “that he considers himself to be far ‘left,’ and that he had become fed up with incidents involving police mistreatment of citizens,” according to the complaint.

Bartels described the moment he decided to spray paint and destroy the police vehicle as an “(expletive) it” moment for him.

FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Michael Christman said Bartels’ alleged actions cannot be tolerated.

“The FBI is dedicated to upholding the Constitution and protecting all citizens’ rights to peacefully protest,” Christman said. “We are committed to identifying, investigating and stopping people who incite violence.

“This type of behavior and destruction of property puts the rights and safety of our citizens, including peaceful demonstrators, at risk. It will not be tolerated. Our focus is also on supporting our law enforcement partners with maintaining public safety in the very communities we’re sworn to protect.”

If convicted, Bartels could be sentenced to up to five years in federal prison and other penalties.

Pittsburgh police had already charged Bartels with institutional vandalism, rioting and reckless endangerment.