A heated moment quickly escalated into a massive brawl at Montgomery Riverfront Park in Alabama after a Black dock worker attempted to get a group of White boaters to move their pontoon so that a riverboat could dock.
Various videos of the incident went viral on social media showing different angles and moments of the altercation.
The first video shows the Black dock worker being attacked by a White man before others joined in.
According to onlookers' commentary in the videos, the group was asked to move their boat in order to allow the riverboat to dock. When they did not comply, the dock worker attempted to push the pontoon out of the way.
That's when the White men approached, one taking the first swing at the dock worker.
WARNING: NSFW language
More footage captured moments after others joined in and the altercation escalated into a full-out brawl.
WARNING: NSFW language
The Montgomery Police Department told Newsweek officers responded "about a disturbance" around 7 p.m.
A spokesperson for the department said:
"At the scene, they located a large group of subjects engaged in a physical altercation. Several subjects have been detained and any charges are pending."
Montgomery mayor Steven L. Reed also issued a statement which he shared on Twitter.
It said:
"Last night, the Montgomery Police Department acted swiftly to detain several reckless individuals for attacking a man who was doing his job."
"Warrants have been signed and justice will be served."
Reed concluded the statement:
"This was an unfortunate incident which never should have occurred."
"As our police department investigates these intolerable actions, we should not become desensitized to violence of any kind in our community."
"Those who choose violent actions will be held accountable by our criminal justice system."
People expressed their disbelief at how quickly things escalated.
But mostly, viewers acknowledged the blatant, inherent entitlement displayed by the White boaters.
A police spokesperson said so far, four active warrants were issued with a possibility of more to follow after reviewing more footage.
