Lawrence man charged in assault of officer after Friday night protest

The Jackson County prosecutor’s office charged a Lawrence man in the assault of a law enforcement officer Saturday after a protest at Kansas City Police Headquarters Friday night.

Protesters demanded federals officers leave the city and asked for police budget cuts.

Preston T. Foster, 23, was charged with misdemeanor counts of fourth-degree assault and resisting arrest. A Kansas City police officer told detectives that he had been injured during the protest when he tried to exit the headquarters. Foster repeatedly slammed a door on the officer’s hand, according to court documents.

Foster told police he had tried to brace the door to keep the officer from exiting the building, according to the release. Foster tried to flee twice before police arrested him.

Foster is the first protester to be charged after police said they arrested 11 people Friday night for property damage and assault of officers. Toward the end of the protests, some in the crowd had spray painted graffiti on a memorial in front of the KCPD headquarters. Officers wearing gear arrived and pepper-sprayed some protesters in the crowd.

Some of those arrested could face misdemeanor charges, while others were being investigated for felony charges, police spokesperson Sgt. Jacob Becchina said in an email earlier in the day.

This story was originally published July 18, 2020 at 6:08 PM.