Alex Grant, a prominent YouTube personality with over 20 million followers, has been charged with two misdemeanors—criminal trespass and unlawful assembly—linked to a looting event at the Scottsdale Fashion Square mall on May 30. Following the incident, Grant asserted that he was merely present to document the scene and participate in peaceful protests stemming from the tragic death of George Floyd, who was killed by four police officers in Minneapolis—those officers were charged on June 3.
Footage circulating online shows Grant inside the mall after hours. While there’s no evidence of him actively stealing, he is seen being handed what appears to be a bottle of alcohol possibly taken from a PF Chang’s restaurant. The police report notes uncertainty regarding whether he took anything himself.
In a statement, the Scottsdale Police Department indicated they received numerous tips and videos identifying Grant as a participant in the unrest. “Our investigation has shown that Grant was on-site after the protest was declared unlawful, and he unlawfully entered and stayed inside the mall during its closure,” the statement reads. Sergeant Ben Hoster informed NBC News that Grant will need to respond to the charges at a court summons in July.
Although Grant has not issued an extensive public statement, he took to Twitter to reject any allegations of wrongdoing. “To clarify, neither I nor anyone with me was involved in looting or vandalism,” he stated. “We aimed to peacefully protest against one of the most horrific injustices our country has faced, which resulted in us being tear-gassed for documenting the unfolding events.” He emphasized that their intention was solely to document the situation, advocating for a collective approach to healing and progress.
In related news, Grant’s brother, another influencer named Ryan, has been actively participating in protests against social injustice in Los Angeles. While Ryan defended his brother by stating that he did not engage in looting, he also acknowledged that Grant should not have been at the mall. “Should he have been there? Absolutely not. But, my brother didn’t steal anything,” Ryan told reporters while holding a Black Lives Matter sign.
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In summary, Alex Grant has been charged following his presence at a looting incident, where he insists he was only documenting events related to social justice protests. His brother has offered support while also recognizing the controversy surrounding Grant’s actions.