Katie Hobbs condemns assault on Peoria officer amid protest over mistaken immigration claims

PHOENIX — Gov. Katie Hobbs said Peoria Mayor Jason Beck has every right to be angry about a protestor assaulting one of his city’s police officers on Tuesday.

“I think he’s right to be as upset as he is,” Hobbs told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Outspoken with Bruce and Gaydos on Tuesday.

Beck previously told KTAR News that the sergeant with the Peoria Police Department could have been seriously injured because protestors were trying to incite violence.

“People have a right to make their voices heard in protest that is peaceful and lawful, and that doesn’t mean violently attacking officers,” Hobbs said. “It doesn’t mean vandalizing property.”

Why was Peoria sergeant assaulted by protestor?

The sergeant, whose name was not released, was one of many officers assisting the Department of Homeland Security (HSI) as the federal agency arrested a suspect who had a warrant out for charges of drug sales and distribution.

However, social media misinformation led protestors to believe that the Peoria Police Department was helping HSI conduct an immigration arrest, according to police.

“Tensions are really high right now, and I think it’s incumbent on everyone to ensure that they’re responding to accurate information,” Hobbs said Tuesday. “The information that an ICE raid was happening today was not accurate.”

She urged elected leaders to be especially cognizant of the importance of not spreading confusion or alarm among protestors.

“I do think it is really critical that elected leaders are doing everything we can to try to calm people, to encourage that peaceful demonstration and to not increase the violent activity,” Hobbs said.