The Shocking Moment Man Drives Through Crowd of “No Kings” Protesters in Virginia
Tensions escalated in Culpeper, Virginia, on Saturday afternoon after a man drove his SUV through a crowd of peaceful protesters taking part in the nationwide “No Kings” demonstrations. The incident occurred as over 600 demonstrators were dispersing near a shopping center along Route 15, following hours of protest against former President Donald Trump and his military parade in Washington, D.C.
The driver, identified as 21-year-old Joseph R. Checklick Jr. of Culpeper, was arrested shortly after the incident. Authorities say Checklick accelerated his vehicle toward the crowd in what appeared to be an intentional act. Witnesses claim the SUV swerved into the group without warning, forcing many people to leap out of the way. At least one person may have been struck, though police later confirmed they found no victims with visible injuries.
“He came out of nowhere and just gunned it through the people,” said one protester, who described the moment as chaotic and terrifying. “Everyone screamed and scattered. It’s a miracle no one got seriously hurt.”
The Culpeper Police Department confirmed Checklick is facing a reckless driving charge and is being held without bond. The investigation remains ongoing, and officials have not ruled out the possibility of more serious charges depending on further findings.
This alarming incident was just one of several disruptions reported across the country during the “No Kings” protests. The protests—organized in opposition to what demonstrators see as authoritarianism and political overreach—were timed to coincide with Trump’s birthday and a controversial military parade held in his honor in Washington, D.C.
In San Francisco, a separate group of protesters was also struck by a vehicle, while in Los Angeles, law enforcement fired tear gas at demonstrators after tensions flared.
Despite these scattered acts of violence, most of the protests across the United States remained peaceful. Organizers in Culpeper released a statement afterward, emphasizing that the event had been “empowering and non-violent” until the vehicular incident occurred. “What happened was terrifying,” the statement read, “but it will not stop us from exercising our right to protest.”
Saturday’s events have reignited debate over the safety of public demonstrations and the growing trend of using vehicles as weapons in political clashes. Law enforcement officials say they are closely monitoring threats against protesters and urge anyone with information about the Culpeper incident to come forward.
As of now, no injuries have been confirmed, and the community remains shaken. Meanwhile, protesters nationwide vow to keep organizing, undeterred by fear or intimidation.
