INDIANAPOLIS — The man who walked with a police officer and shook the hand of Governor Holcomb after riots in May 2020 in Indianapolis, has been arrested and charged with trying to kill a police officer in Oregon.
Malik Muhammad, 24, was arrested by SWAT officers in Indianapolis this week.
Investigators in Portland say Muhammad threw a firebomb at an officer in September, scorching the officer’s uniform. They also say Muhammad is responsible for tens of thousands of dollars in damages from October.
Muhammad faces a 28-count grand jury indictment in Multnomah County, filed March 22, which includes charges of attempted aggravated murder, first-degree attempted murder, and unlawful manufacture of a destructive device.
The charges stem from four incidents during September and October, according to a Monday news release from Mulnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt. Muhammad is accused of traveling to Portland “for the specific purpose of engaging in multiple criminal acts” before returning to Indiana.
Muhammad is accused of throwing a large, burning object toward a patrol car with a sergeant inside during a Sept. 21 demonstration near the Penumbra Kelly Building.
Police described the object as a large, yellow bottle similar to a beer growler. The bottle had a burnt rag stuffed in its mouth and contained a large amount of flammable liquid.
Police also say a search of Muhammad’s cellphone uncovered a shopping list that included “common ingredients to make a Molotov cocktail.”
