Two Arrested for Endangering Murray Protesters

Two men were arrested in Murray on Tuesday evening after police say the men interfered with a peaceful protest.

The protest took place on the court square in Murray in response to the death of George Floyd of Minneapolis, and also following a letter from Murray State assistant football coach Sherman Neal II to local officials calling for the removal of a Confederate statue at the court square.

During the protest, people walked down multiple streets, including both Main Street and 12th Street. Murray City Police, the Calloway County Sheriff's Office, and the Murray State University Police Department were present at the scene. Officers in patrol vehicles stayed in front and behind the group as they walked.

Officers responded to a report of an individual in a vehicle on Main Street who pointed a gun at protesters. The driver, 55-year-old John Dickerson of Paducah, who was arrested and charged with first degree wanton endangerment.  

The protest continued north on 12th Street. As protesters were walking next to a stopped vehicle driven by 53-year-old David Fryemire of Murray, he allegedly rolled down his window and sprayed pepper spray on multiple protesters and five police officers. According to police, Fryemire then attempted to drive through the crowd of protesters and officers before being stopped by police.

Fryemire was arrested and charged with two counts of first degree wanton endangerment, three counts of fourth degree assault, and five counts of third degree assault.

Both men were lodged in the Calloway County Jail.