A Worcester 18-year-old allegedly brought ‘several Molotov cocktails’ to a recent protest
Vincent Eovacious "appeared intent to use them as lethal devices against police officers," a federal official said.
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A Worcester teen is facing federal charges after authorities say he brought “several Molotov cocktails,” or “homemade firebombs,” to a recent demonstration there, which they say he apparently planned to use against officers.
Vincent Eovacious, 18, is being charged with civil disorder and unlawful possession of a firearm (a destructive device), according to a news release from the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Eovacious was at demonstrations in Worcester on Monday night, authorities said. Protesters took to the streets there and in other New England cities that night as part of ongoing calls for justice for George Floyd, the Black man killed while in Minneapolis police custody last week.
Authorities said around 10 p.m. a crowd blocked traffic on South Main Street and some began throwing objects at police. As police formed a line, an officer noticed a man in a trench coat atop the building at 848 Main St.
“The man, later identified as Eovacious, allegedly yelled for the crowd below to kill the police and paced back and forth on the rooftop,” authorities said in the release. “The officer then observed Eovacious remove … a bottle from his satchel that appeared to [contain] liquid and attempt to insert a rag into the bottle while holding a silver object that the officer believed to be a lighter.”
Authorities caught up with Eovacious near May and Main streets, and he still had the bag with him. Inside the bag, authorities reportedly found three clear glass bottles with a liquid that smelled of gasoline. There were also five white rags and two lighters, according to the release.
“Eovacious stated that the liquid in the glass bottles was gasoline and that he was ‘with the anarchist group’ and was ‘waiting for an opportunity,’” the release said.
Eovacious had been released on bond on Wednesday related to state charges, including possession of an incendiary device, authorities said. He was then arrested again on the federal charges; he was scheduled to appear in federal court in Worcester on Thursday.
“According to the complaint, this self-proclaimed anarchist built Molotov cocktails — homemade firebombs — to use during a demonstration honoring George Floyd,” Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling said in the release. “We will aggressively prosecute anyone who pursues violence under cover of peaceful protest.”
“This defendant was in possession of several Molotov Cocktails and appeared intent to use them as lethal devices against Police Officers while they were protecting the rights of protestors,” ATF Special Agent in Charge Kelly Brady added.
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