Albany Police: Troy man threw molotov cocktail at four officers, horses in May 30 riot; Arrested Thursday

PHOTOGRAPHER: Peter R. Barber

A molotov cocktail explodes in front of 4 mounted Albany Police officers on Arch Street May 30

ALBANY – A Troy man has been arrested, accused of throwing a molotov cocktail at four police officers and their horses during the May 30 riot in Albany, police said Thursday.

Dwight Parker, 38, of Troy, was arrested Thursday morning and charged with four counts each of first-degree attempted assault, attempted aggravated assault on a police officer and attempting to injure a police animal. He also faces one count of first-degree reckless endangerment.

Parker is accused of throwing the molotov cocktail at the officers and horses at about 9:15 p.m. May 30 in the area of South Pearl and Arch streets, during the riot that evening.

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The incendiary device exploded at the feet of the four mounted officers, a scene captured by Daily Gazette photographer Peter Barber.

Parker was taken into custody at his residence in Troy following an investigation by detectives from the Albany Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Unit.

Also arrested Thursday were Parker’s wife, Shalene Allen, 37, and daughter, Imari Allen, 18. They each face charges of first-degree inciting a riot, a misdemeanor.

Police also found in the Troy residence a loaded handgun, Albany Police said, referring information about charges related to the weapon to police there.

The three are the latest to face charges related to the May 30 unrest. An Albany man was arrested last month, accused of setting fire to a tractor-trailer and police. Police also previously charged a Delmar man, accusing him of throwing a brick at an officer’s head, causing the officer to suffer a concussion.

The violent protest that night came after a peaceful afternoon protest over the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.

Parker was arraigned and ordered held on $40,000 bail. The Allens were released to appear in court next month.

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