Internet vigilantes misidentify suspect who attacked teens

By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN Associated Press
SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) — A retired police officer who was falsely accused by many Twitter users of accosting three young adults on a Maryland bicycle trail says he was saddened and scared by the barrage of hate directed against him. John Damskey, a Montgomery County police officer for nearly 30 years, was one of at least two men whose names, photos and personal information were posted by internet vigilantes before police on Friday arrested and charged another man, 60-year-old Anthony Brennan III, with assaulting three people posting flyers protesting the death of George Floyd. Millions of Twitter users have viewed a video of the encounter. Many falsely blamed Damskey, who says the experience has been surreal and terrifying.