Man charged with assaulting protester at Trump rally is a D-M ai - Tucson News Now

Man charged with assaulting protester at Trump rally is a D-M airman

(Source: Tucson News Now) (Source: Tucson News Now)
TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) -

A man charged with assaulting a protester at a Donald Trump rally in Tucson is an airman at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, a public affairs official confirmed.

The man seen throwing the punches was identified by police as 32-year-old Tony Pettway. He was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of assault with injury, according to Tucson Police Department Public Information Officer Sgt. Kimberly Bay.

Video captured by KOLD News 13 shows the man identified as Pettway attacking the protester as he was walking up the steps inside the Tucson Convention Center during a Donald Trump rally on Saturday, March 19. 

MOBILE USERS: The KOLD News 13 mugshots of the month are available HERE.

"I can confirm the individual depicted in these videos is an Airman assigned to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. We are reviewing the situation, fully cooperating with local authorities, and will take appropriate action," said Capt. Casey Osborne, 55th Fighter Wing Chief of Public Affairs, in a written statement. 

The statement goes on to say:

"All DOD members are authorized to participate in the political process in their personal capacity without implying any endorsement from the DOD. We believe wholeheartedly in our fellow Americans' rights to express their views on political issues, and we strongly condemn any attempt to silence those views through force or violence."

The man who was sucker-punched has been identified as Bryan Sanders. 

Tucson police also arrested 67-year-old Linda Rothman for misdemeanor assault with no injury, an incident that happened inside the event. 

About 130 officers assisted with the event at TCC, according to TPD. About 20 additional on-duty officers were called over during the the rally. No officers were injured.

Copyright 2016 Tucson News Now. All rights reserved

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