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By Beth Stibal |

Miami Teen Accused of Hitting Officer with Skateboard at Protest

Miami Police say they have arrested a teenager who allegedly hit an officer in the head with a skateboard during a protest last month.

According to the report, 17-year-old Michael Marshall was arrested last Friday on a charge of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer.

Police had released photos of their suspect earlier this month.

They add that a Crime Stoppers tip led to Marshall’s identification.

The arrest affidavit states that Marshall attended Miami Norland Senior High School and played on their football team.

Officer Raymond Washington suffered a concussion in the June 10 attack, his colleagues say.

The incident took place when officers responded to the Torch of Friendship on Biscayne Blvd., as people were defacing public property during a protest, and “several members of the protest became violent and assaulted our officers,” police say.

Seven people were ultimately arrested that night, some of whom authorities said had assaulted officers while they were trying to arrest several people for vandalizing Christopher Columbus and Juan Ponce De Leon statues in the area.

Authorities go on to say that a police vehicle was also damaged during the protest.

“The Miami Police Department remains committed to facilitating peaceful protest, but we continue to emphasize that violence toward civilians and officers, destruction of public or private property, and other forms of lawlessness will not be tolerated,” the department said in a news release announcing Marshall’s arrest Friday.

It continued, “Such crimes will be investigated, and offenders will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly. “

Anyone with further information on the case is asked to contact the Miami Police Department’s Assaults Unit at (305) 603-6940.

Those who have information but wish to remain anonymous can contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-8477, or visit crimestoppersmiami.com and select “Give a Tip.”