Six people face charges stemming from a city-permitted Fourth of July block party in the Chicora-Cherokee community of North Charleston, South Carolina: four juveniles and two named adults, per a North Charleston Police Department announcement. The two adult defendants account for possession of a machine gun, breach of peace, and assault on a law enforcement officer between them. Police say additional arrests are possible as the investigation continues.
The adult defendants
Giovanni Mekhi Sincere Campbell, 19, of North Charleston, faces one charge: possession of a machine gun. Sa'Mya Adriana Collette Weaver, 18, faces breach of peace and assault on a police officer while resisting arrest.
Juvenile charges and evidence recovered
The four juveniles, whose identities were withheld because they are minors, face charges that include third-degree assault by mob, assault on a police officer while resisting arrest, resisting arrest, possession of a machine gun, and breach of peace. Officers recovered multiple firearms from the scene, one of which investigators described as a machine gun. They also recovered a makeshift spear. Police have not stated whether any of the recovered firearms were discharged during the incident or whether the spear was used in the officer assaults.
How the evening escalated
Officers arrived at approximately 8:30 p.m. on July 4. Earlier that day, police leadership had met with event organizers to coordinate traffic and parking so emergency vehicles could access the area if needed. Initial reports described people firing fireworks toward passing vehicles. That shifted to reports of attendees discharging firearms. Officers announced the event was over and ordered dispersal. Multiple fights broke out, additional gunshots were fired, and officers exited patrol vehicles to intervene. Multiple officers were assaulted. Two female officers sustained minor injuries.
Viral video captured a female officer pulled to the ground and struck by multiple individuals before a second officer deployed what appeared to be a stun gun. No civilians reported injuries. The NCPD credited community members who helped officers on scene and four responding agencies: Charleston County Sheriff's Office, Charleston Police Department, Berkeley County Sheriff's Office, and the South Carolina Highway Patrol.