Lexington Police Chief, Teens Release Statements in Racially Charged Case

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – Lexington’s police chief and two teenagers released separate statements Thursday in an alleged racially charged assault case.

Three African-American teen girls say a white manager at Portofino Restaurant chased them through downtown Lexington and assaulted them on November 5, 2016, after accusing them of stealing a jacket.

On November 12, 2016, community activists criticized the handling of the case during a public gathering downtown.

On November 16, Lexington Mayor Jim Gray released a statement about the alleged incident and the city’s handling of it.

On November 17, it was Lexington Police Chief Mark Barnard’s turn to release a prepared statement, as well as two of the three reported victims, who released a statement of their own through an attorney.

Statement from Police Chief Mark Barnard:

The investigation into the November 5 incident outside Portofino Restaurant is continuing. Detectives have interviewed all identified parties and independent witnesses to the incident, and they continue to collect evidence, including videos.

Surveillance video has been recovered from the area, and investigators are still waiting to receive additional surveillance footage that may provide additional details about the events that took place. A request for this video was sent early last week and could take up to two more weeks before police receive it from the private business whose corporate office is out of state.

Throughout this process, we have kept all involved parties informed about the status of this case.

When all evidence is received, investigators will review the material and continue to consult with the County Attorney and all involved parties. When the investigation is complete, the case file will be available for public review, subject to Kentucky Open Records Act provisions relating to adults and juveniles.

We want this investigation to be as thorough as possible and we continue to ask for patience as detectives work through the process. Anyone with additional information in this case is asked to contact Police.

The following statement is issued on behalf of Trinity and QueenZion Gates in regards to the recent reported incident in Lexington, KY.

We are hopeful and, at this time, we believe and are grateful that everyone involved understands the magnitude of the situation and its possible consequences for both the parties primarily involved as well as the community as a whole.

Concerning the investigation, while atypical, we appreciate the opportunity to have sat with officials from the Lexington Police Department, including Chief Barnard, to review some of the materials that have been retrieved pursuant to the investigation.

It is our understanding that once the entire investigation is complete, all of the possibly relevant video has been recovered, all of the witness statements have been taken, and all of the physical evidence has been examined, all of the materials will be made available.

We understand and appreciate everyone’s passion surrounding these incidents, and we are grateful for the outpouring and concern on behalf of all parties involved. While we, along with everyone, are awaiting the complete results of the investigation, we would respectfully request that everyone remain primarily focused on a peaceful and just resolution to this matter.

It is in that spirit that we humbly and sincerely request that this necessary and empathetic compassion only be manifested in peaceful ways.

Sincerely,
s/Rawl Douglas Kazee, Esq.
On Behalf of
QueenZion Gates and
Trinity Gates