Charges Filed Following Altercation Involving Adult and Juveniles After Student Walkout from School for ICE Protest
GRAND ISLAND - Hall County Attorney Marty Klein announced that charges have been filed following a physical altercation involving an adult and several juveniles after a student walkout by Grand Island Senior High School students in Grand Island.
The incident occurred when a group of students participating in a walkout protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were gathered in the area. During that time, Michael Brown, 54, of Grand Island, yelled pro-ICE sentiments toward the group. The encounter escalated when a student threw a water bottle hitting Brown and Brown, in turn, exited his vehicle and chased after the student.
After reviewing the investigation conducted by the Grand Island Police Department, the
Hall County Attorney’s Office determined the following charges respectively:
Adult Defendant
Michael Brown, age 54, Grand Island
• Count 1 – Assault in the Third Degree, a Class I misdemeanor
• Count 2 – Assault in the Third Degree by Mutual Fight, a Class II misdemeanor
• Count 3 – Attempted Assault in the Third Degree, a Class II misdemeanor, for attempting to assault a 15-year-old female Juvenile Offenders
Because these offenders are juveniles, their identities are not being released.
• A 17-year-old male is charged with:
o Count 1 – Assault in the Third Degree, a Class I misdemeanor, for assaulting Michael Brown, and
o Count 2 – Assault in the Third Degree by Mutual Fight, a Class II misdemeanor, for engaging in a mutual fight with Michael Brown.
• A 16-year-old male is charged with Count 1 – Assault in the Third Degree, a Class I misdemeanor, for assaulting Michael Brown.
• A 15-year-old female is charged with Count 1 – Assault in the Third Degree, a Class I misdemeanor, for assaulting Michael Brown.
• A 14-year-old male is charged with Count 1 – Assault in the Third Degree, a Class I misdemeanor, for assaulting Michael Brown.
Klein stated, “The charging decisions were made after careful consideration of video evidence obtained by the Grand Island Police Department, witness statements, and the observations of responding officers.”
Klein also noted, “While the juvenile cases have been charged out, all four juveniles appear to be eligible and will be screen for Diversion. If the juveniles register for, and successfully complete, Diversion they will never have to go to court, and they will have no record of these charges.”
“This case involves strongly held political views on multiple sides,” Klein said. “The First Amendment protects the right of individuals to express their opinions, including political opinions about immigration policy. However, the law does not protect acts of violence or physical assaults. The charges filed in this case are based solely on the conduct observed and reported during the altercation.”
The Hall County Attorney’s Office thanks the Grand Island Police Department for its thorough investigation of this matter.
Juvenile Confidentiality Notice
Under Nebraska law, records involving juveniles are confidential. The Hall County Attorney’s Office will not release the names or identifying information of the juveniles involved. No further information regarding the juvenile proceedings will be released except as permitted by law.
Standard Legal Disclaimer
A criminal charge is merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. The filing of charges reflects only that the Hall County Attorney’s Office believes sufficient evidence exists to bring the matter before the court for adjudication.