Police denied on Monday (May 18) that racism was a factor in breaking up a massive block party in Volusia County, Florida over the weekend.
This report produced by Yahaira Jacquez.
Thousands packed the streets for a block party in Volusia County, Florida over the weekend that quickly turned chaotic as police attempted to shut it down.
The county sheriffs office released its chopper video of the incident, showing attendees close together despite social distancing guidelines still in effect throughout Florida.
Police say about 3,000 people were at the outdoor party, which started on Saturday.
The Volusia County sheriff's office said the crowd turned violent, claiming attendees pointed weapons at the officers and hit them with bottles and jars.
Body camera recordings also released showed the tense moments between party-goers and police, including this scene caught on camera.
Police officer: "Hey, hey - hands up!
Put your [profanity] hands up!" An officer can be seen drawing his gun as he chases a man who allegedly threw a weapon away before being approached.
Once the man was on the ground, people could be seen screaming at the officers.
Some attendees spoke to local media claiming the arrests of 8 people and the break-up of the party were racially motivated, prompting a strong denial from authorities this week.
Volusia County Sheriff Michael Chitwood told a news conference on Monday "If you're white, black, hispanic or yellow and you've got a gun and point it at me, I'm going to shoot you... And I think to wave the race card around is a coward's way of saying this was out of control.
This was an embarrassment."
Shocking footage shows police officers making arrests at a 3,000-people block party in Florida.
Officers at the weekend..
Take a look at this massive crowd of people gathering for a block party in Florida. Police in Volusia County reported the crowd at..