The Slatest

Several People Stabbed as Neo-Nazis Clash With Counter-Protesters in Sacramento

A scene from the violent clashes outside the Capitol in Sacramento, California on June 26, 2016.

Screengrab/KXTV

At least five were taken to the hospital after multiple people were stabbed outside the Capitol in Sacramento, California as clashes between neo-Nazis and counter-protesters became extremely violent. The Sacramento Fire Department described it as a “mass casualty incident” and said some of those taken to the hospital had “critical trauma stab wounds.”

The California branch of the Traditionalist Workers Party had been planning the march for a while and were apparently ready for the clashes. The group wrote on its website: “After carefully weighing the pros and cons, we have decided that this would be our Thermopylae, no matter what it costs or what it takes the march will go on!”

Violence quickly broke out, and videos and photos of the event showed brutal confrontations. At least six people were stabbed, according to NBC affiliate KCRA.

Frances Wang, a local reporter for ABC affiliate KXTV, was at the scene and published some shocking footage of the clashes on Twitter.

It’s far from clear who was stabbed and who did the stabbing, although there are reports of at least three counter-protesters suffering stab wounds.

One person appears to have been attacked merely for trying to document the event.