Antifa Firebomber Arrested for Trying to Murder Portland Police Officers
Malik Muhammed hit with multiple charges for throwing Molotov cocktails at cops
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An Antifa firebomber, suspected of trying to murder Portland police officers with a Molotov cocktail during Black Lives Matter riots last summer, has been arrested by authorities in Indiana, according to reports.
24-year-old activist Malik Muhammed was arrested on Friday and charged with attempted aggravated murder, attempted assault in the first degree, attempted murder in the first degree, unlawful manufacture of a destructive device, and other crimes.
DNA evidence retrieved from an unexploded Molotov cocktail helped identify Muhammed, police revealed.
The incident, which occurred during Antifa-led Black Lives Matter rioting on September 21, was documented by a Portland police officer.
The cop was sitting in a vehicle used to broadcast warnings to protesters when the burning object came straight toward him.
The officer jumped out of the car and found a beer growler made into a Molotov cocktail, with a burned rag stuffed into its neck, that, thankfully, failed to go off.
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"I am grateful to the investigators who spent many hours over the last few months following up these violent attacks against police officers and the community," Police Bureau Chief Chuck Lovell said in a statement.
"I am also grateful to the brave officers who put themselves in harm's way serving this community.
"More investigations are underway," he added.
"Anyone who thinks they can get away with trying to murder police officers and destroy this city should think again."
Police said Muhammed threw an incendiary device that didn't explode at police officers on Sept. 21 at the Penumbra Kelly Building, which houses some Portland Police and Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office operations.
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On Sept. 23, he allegedly threw a firebomb that scorched the uniform of a police officer.
WATCH:
Shocking video recorded at a #BLM-antifa riot in downtown Portland on 23 Sept., 2020, allegedly shows Malik Muhammed throwing a firebomb at a group of police. He's also accused of throwing a firebomb at an occupied police vehicle two days prior. #antifa pic.twitter.com/mRGCAbFOQe
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) April 5, 2021
The close call came after Kentucky prosecutors opted not to charge Louisville police officers in connections with the death of Breonna Taylor.
All told, Muhammed's actions were responsible for tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage to windows in downtown Portland, including at the Historical Portland Society, during an Oct. 11 attack, police said.
Authorities initially arrested another man, Joseph Sipe, for allegedly throwing a Molotov Cocktail on Sept. 23.
Prosecutors declined not to charge him after he did not appear to be the person who threw the device at police, the Oregonian reported.
Muhammed is being held in Indiana pending an extradition hearing.
