State police use pepper spray on Manassas crowd after trooper hit in head with brick

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. -- Authorities said state police deployed pepper spray on a large crowd of protesters in northern Virginia after a state trooper was hit in the head with a brick Saturday night.

Prince William County Police said an "unlawful assembly" was called over an "unruly crowd of several protesters" at Sudley Road and Sudley Manor Drive in Manassas just after 8:15 p.m.

Troopers were dispatched to the area to help police with traffic and crowd control.

"Within a short period of time, the protesters turned violent and began throwing bricks, rocks and bottles at passing vehicles and then at law enforcement," Virginia State Police Public Relations Director Corinne Geller said.

Officials said one trooper was hit in the head with a brick, but since his helmet took the brunt of the impact, he only suffered a minor injury.

A second trooper who was struck in the leg with a rock also had a minor injury.

"The protesters were given repeated verbal com;mands to disperse at that location, but have refused," Geller said. "In an effort to safely disperse the violent crowd, state police has utilized non-lethal tactics, such as OC "pepper" spray and powder."

Officials said troopers would remain on scene through the night to assist police.

There is no word if any arrests were made.

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