Tuesday 15 November 2022 11:20 PM Vandal who threw Molotov cocktail into NYPD van during BLM protests is ... trends now
The woman who threw a Molotov cocktail into a New York Police Department van during the George Floyd protests has been sentenced to six years in prison.
Samantha Shader, 29, was sentenced Tuesday by a judge in New York to 72 months after she was found guilty of throwing the device inside an NYPD vehicle occupied by officers in May 2020.
Announcing the verdict and the sentencing Tuesday, officials with the Justice Department and the NYPD called Shader 'a violent criminal who crossed a line' and who was 'appropriately held to account.'
'Today, Ms. Shader learned the consequences for choosing to engage in violent criminal actions,' said FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Michael J. Driscoll.
Samantha Shader, 29, was arrested in May of 2020 after she threw a lit Molotov cocktail into an NYPD vehicle during protests over the death of George Floyd
The clip begins with a woman, identified by police sources as Samantha Shader, appearing to prepare the explosive
'Malicious actors who wish to bring mayhem to our community - and those who dutifully serve to protect it - will be held accountable for their behavior by the FBI and our law enforcement partners,' stated Driscoll.
Shader, a resident of Catskill, New York, threw the Molotov cocktail into the NYPD vehicle in Brooklyn just after 1.10am on May 30, 2020.
In the release sent out Tuesday, law enforcement officials say two of the vehicle's windows were shattered by the device and four total officers were inside.
The law enforcement officials were able to escape the vehicle and arrest the woman, who allegedly bit one of the officers on the leg.
After her arrest, the woman waived her Miranda rights and admitted to officers she had thrown the device.
Video of the incident was obtained by officers, as well as news outlets.
In April, Shader pleaded guilty to the charge.
'Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that no one may ever commit a despicable act of vandalism, especially one that endangers the lives of police officers – whose mission is to ensure people’s right to demonstrate peacefully,' said NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell.
'I commend the NYPD officers who arrested her for this criminal act, and I thank the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District for taking the safety of all New Yorkers – including the police who serve them – seriously,' Sewell said.
Shader had traveled from her Saugerties home she had invited co-conspirator Timothy Amerman to 'go down to the City to cause some hell,' according to the Justice Department.
