Who is Mary Todd? First woman charged in viral Alabama boat brawl
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA: Mary Todd, a 21-year-old individual, has been taken into custody in connection with the Alabama riverboat brawl that stunned the nation. The altercation, witnessed by millions because of the viral cell phone footage, has raised questions about rising racial tension and violence in America.
Mary's surrender to authorities marked the fourth arrest related to the incident, where a black riverboat crew co-captain was brutally assaulted during a riverside clash in the capital city of Alabama on Saturday, August 5.
Richard William Roberts, 48, Allen Todd, 23, and Zachery Chase Shipman, 25, were the first three individuals to be taken into police custody in Montgomery, the state capital.
A brawl took place at Riverfront Park in Montgomery, Alabama.
— BoreCure (@CureBore) August 6, 2023
Reportedly, a group of white men attacked a black dock worker after he asked them to move their boat. In response, a group of black men intervened to defend the worker.
Several were detained, and charges are pending. pic.twitter.com/4YhGGdB6IU
The brawl erupted as co-captain Damien Pickett, 31, requested white boaters to adjust their pontoon vessel's position to allow the Harriott II river cruise vessel to dock on the Alabama River.
Viral video clips recorded by some of the 227 passengers on the riverboat showcased the shocking violence that ensued, leading to the detainment of 13 people.
Who is Mary Todd?
Mary's involvement in the altercation allegedly involved pushing Black co-captain Damien Pickett, while holding a beer in her hand.
The incident unfolded against the backdrop of racially charged language, with witnesses claiming to have heard racial slurs and threats during the confrontation.
Crystal Warren, a witness and the mother of a 16-year-old boy who was assaulted in the brawl, reported heard one of the attackers say "f**k that n*****" before launching into a brawl with the black deckhand at the center of the shocking incident.
She also disclosed that one of the white aggressors threatened to retrieve a gun, amplifying the gravity of the situation.
Charges of assault have been filed against Allen Todd and Zachary Shipman, as well as Richard Roberts, aged 48, who stands accused of striking 16-year-old Daniel Warren, an allegation brought forth by the boy's mother.
Law enforcement officials have indicated that the investigation into the incident remains active and ongoing. As investigations unfold, it still remains unclear if Mary Todd and Allen Todd are related.
Amid the chaos, Captain Jim Kittrell shed light on the potential racial motivation behind the attack on co-captain Damien Pickett.
"The white guys that attacked my deckhand — and he was a senior deckhand first mate—I can't think of any other reason they attacked him other than it being racially motivated," Kittrell said.
Another POV of the brawl that took place at Riverfront Park in Montgomery, Alabama. pic.twitter.com/ekclNaSRoo
— BoreCure (@CureBore) August 6, 2023
"All he did was move their boat up three feet. It makes no sense to have six people try to beat the snot out of you just because you moved their boat up a few feet," he said.
"In my opinion, the attack on Damien was racially motivated," Kittrell explained, before adding that the rest of the fight "was not black and white."
Pickett, reportedly in his forties, is managing diabetes along with hypertension. The captain noted that his crew would have supported Pickett, regardless of the circumstances.
Additionally, authorities have expressed the intention to engage in a conversation with Reggie Gray, the African-American individual observed throwing a folding chair during the incident. Gray, although not facing charges, is sought for further discussion about the incident.