4 arrested, officer hurt when confrontation breaks out at West Mifflin protest

By BRIAN C. RITTMEYER
TribLive

Kennywood Boulevard reopened in West Mifflin after an incident between protestors and police there Sunday afternoon.

The boulevard had been closed between Hoffman Boulevard and Glenn Street, spanning Kennywood, because of “police activity,” borough police said.

Friends and family of Terrel “TJ” Byars Jr. were holding a protest that began at the Duquesne Police Department on South Second Street shortly after 1 p.m. and was planned to end two miles away at Speedway at 4315 Kennywood Blvd., just past Kennywood in West Mifflin.

Byars, 13, died after he was hit by a car Dec. 27 in front of Speedway. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner ruled his death an accident.

TribLive was unable to reach West Mifflin police Chief Gregory McCulloch.

McCulloch told TribLive news partner WTAE that four people were arrested after a confrontation broke out during the protest.

No information about those arrested or the charges they face was immediately available.

McCulloch told WTAE that pepper spray was used when people being removed by officers became aggressive.

In a statement, West Mifflin Mayor Chris Kelly said the borough’s police were not notified about the march in advance. Police were called because protestors were blocking traffic, Mc-Culloch told WTAE.

Kelly said had they known, West Mifflin police would have escorted them to keep them safe.

“We recognize that people grieve in different ways, and for some, bringing their grief into the public sphere can be part of the process of seeking understanding and closure,” Kelly said in his statement. “However, civil disorder does not serve that purpose and instead creates barriers where compassion and unity should exist.”

West Mifflin police requested help from nearby agencies, including Allegheny County Police. County police responded to the scene, but a spokesman was not able to provide any information.

An officer was injured but did not have to be taken to a hospital, McCulloch told WTAE.

According to an announcement from Byars’ mother, the protest was intended to honor her son’s life and demand accountability and safer streets for the community.

A petition is also calling for Kennywood Boulevard to be renamed for Byars. The petition had just over 1,300 signatures as of Sunday.