N.Y. man charged after he allegedly hurt a FF, damaged engine during a 2020 protest

The Rochester Fire Department said the apparatus was out of service for “an extended period of time”

By Leila Merrill

ROCHESTER, N.Y. —A Rochester man, 20, accused of climbing into a fire engine, damaging it and injuring a firefighter in 2020 has been charged, WHEC reported.

The incident occurred after a Black Lives Matter Protest in the wake of the killing of George Floyd.

The Rochester Fire Department said that after 7 p.m. May 30, 2020, the man got onto Engine Co. 1 as it was responding to several arsons near the Public Safety Building. He reportedly damaged the engine with a metal object, according to WHAM.

The department said that the vehicle was out of service for “an extended period of time.”

The man, whose name has not been released to the public, has been charged with first degree riot, second degree assault and third degree criminal mischief.

He is in jail and awaits arraignment. An order of protection is expected, the department said.