James Alex Fields, Jr. is being identified as the prime suspect who allegedly rammed his car through a crowd of protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia. Registration records demonstrate that a car owned by Fields was involved in Saturday’s deadly car incident in Charlottesville. Fields allegedly drove his gray 2010 Dodge Challenger into a crowd of counter-protesters opposing a white nationalist rally. As a result of Fields’ alleged actions, 19 people have been injured and one 32-year-old female has died. Her death is currently being investigated as a murder.
Fields is a 20-year-old male from Maumee, Ohio. He allegedly plowed his vehicle through a crowd of protesters at a Unite the Right rally. As a result of Saturday’s vehicular incident, a Snapchat video has surfaced appearing to show Fields surrendering to police.
Rumors circulated on the web on the identity of the driver. People on the internet checked the license plate of the vehicle and tracked it down to musician Joel Vangheluwe who completely denies any involvement in today’s incident. He shot down the rumors by stating that he attended a wedding with his girlfriend when tragedy struck Charlottesville. Vangheluwe also said that he had sold the gray 2010 Dodge Challenger.
The next buyer on the list is James Alex Fields, Jr. Even though he is a prime suspect at the moment, it is not yet confirmed whether or not he was the driver.
Tech reporter for The Hill Taylor Lorenz reports that police believe the suspect didn’t intentionally mow down protesters out of malicious intent. Lorenz reports that authorities believe that the suspect acted out of fear as protesters swarmed the vehicle, some allegedly acting violent. Taylor reports being punched in the face at the rally.
The car that struck the protesters is currently registered to James Alex Fields, Jr.
Here’s a photo of the Dodge Charger striking a crowd of protesters. The vehicle’s license plate number is somewhat visible:
Oh my god. This image from #Charlottesville. https://t.co/lBiTQvwnex pic.twitter.com/123XmE6I7E
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) August 12, 2017
The driver of the vehicle has been apprehended by police. Here is a Snapchat screenshot of James allegedly surrendering himself to authorities.
James had formerly served in the military. Fields was listed as an active duty service member of the United States Army from August 18 to December 11, 2015. Public records also show that James is a registered republican.
James has been charged with charged with one count of second-degree murder, three counts of malicious wounding, failure to stop for an accident involving a death, and hit-and-run. Here’s a mugshot of the 20-year-old suspect:
Albermale county jail just sent me the mugshot of today's suspect in today's Charlottesville tragedy. James Alex Fields Jr, 20. pic.twitter.com/ucALl7oSyi
— Sebastian Murdock (@SebastianMurdoc) August 13, 2017
Samantha Bloom, mother of the suspect, told AP reporters that she knew her son was going to a rally, but didn’t know the specifics…
