A motorcyclist has been arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly accelerating into a crowd of protesters outside an Amazon warehouse in Riverside, California, authorities reported. The incident occurred Wednesday around 10:28 a.m. at a distribution facility.
Deputies from the Perris Sheriff’s Station responded to multiple calls reporting an altercation, including one witness who stated a motorcyclist had driven into the gathered group. Upon arrival, deputies found three injured individuals, all of whom were transported to a local hospital in stable condition. Investigators determined the rider, identified as Jesus Salcido Perez, 40, of Perris, intentionally accelerated his motorcycle into the protesters.
Perez was released from the hospital and subsequently booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center. The two individuals struck by the motorcycle reportedly suffered minor injuries, according to Robert Gonzalez, a spokesperson for Teamsters Local 1932, who was present at the protest. Neither victim was an Amazon employee, Gonzalez stated, and both were union members supporting warehouse workers.
The protest was part of an organized walkout at Amazon's DJT6 warehouse, with demonstrators demanding better pay and working conditions. The Teamsters also accused Amazon of illegal retaliation against employees who have sought to improve their work environment. Gonzalez indicated that hundreds of people had initially been picketing, with several dozen remaining when the incident occurred.
An Amazon spokesperson confirmed awareness of the event outside the facility, characterizing it as occurring "during an unlawful Teamsters demonstration." The company also denied the union's retaliation claims, stating that Amazon already offers "much of what the Teamsters are requesting." Gonzalez maintained that union members had made efforts to ensure the demonstration remained lawful.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and the sheriff's office has not released further details.