Minnesota Dad Charged in Protest Shove Over Child Filming

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. -- A 36-year-old man from St. Cloud, Minnesota, faces felony charges after allegedly punching a child's father during a heated exchange at a 'No Kings' protest Saturday. The incident unfolded around the intersection of American Boulevard and Penn Avenue South, where the man was counterprotesting, yelling at demonstrators and livestreaming to social media.[1] Court records detail that the counterprotester pointed his camera at a young child among the protesters, prompting the child's father to push the phone away to stop the recording. In response, the St. Cloud man punched the father in the nose, breaking it and requiring hospital treatment, according to the criminal complaint.[1] Officers arrested the suspect at the scene after responding to reports of the altercation. He is charged with one count of third-degree assault and one count of committing a crime while wearing a bullet-resistant vest -- a charge stemming from the protective gear he donned during the counterprotest activities.[1] If convicted on both counts, the man faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. The 'No Kings' event, which drew protesters and counterprotesters amid broader political unrest, underscores the volatile atmosphere at such gatherings.[1] The father's identity has not been released, but the complaint notes his injuries were significant enough for immediate medical attention. Bloomington police have not provided further updates on the investigation as of Thursday.[1]