Man arrested after fighting with protestors over Confederate flag

An Irmo man was arrested after a fight broke out over the Confederate flag in front of the State House Monday night, officials say.

Nicholas Thompson, 25, was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct after confronting a crowd protesting the Confederate flag, South Carolina Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Sherri Iacobelli said in a statement released Monday night.

The department’s Bureau of Protective Services reported that around 7:15 p.m. Monday, about 15 vehicles with pro-flag supporters pulled up in front of the State House and stopped in the middle of Gervais Street. About eight to 10 people then got out of the vehicles and began to engage in an altercation with a crowd of about 30 gathered near the Confederate Memorial to protest the flag, Iacobelli said.

BPS and additional law enforcement officers were able to contain the situation. The SC Highway Patrol, University of South Carolina Police and Columbia Police Department responded to the scene as well with about 50 officers in all.

Gervais Street has been closed from Sumter to Assembly streets and part of Main Street was closed briefly while the situation was contained.

Public Safety Director Leroy Smith told reporters it was unfortunate that Columbia has had such an incident when there have been no problems reported in Charleston.

Asked if Gervais Street near the Confederate Memorial would be closed in the future, Smith said it would depend on the situation.

Protesters remain on the State House grounds and law enforcement has been increased to monitor the situation, Iacobelli said.

Andy Shain contributed to this report.