This browser does not support the Video element.
Austin man reportedly pours red dye on woman walking out of Louis Vuitton store
While Brian was painting, a woman walked out of the Louis Vuitton store in North Austin. Brian reportedly poured the red dye all over the woman.
AUSTIN, Texas - A man from Austin has been arrested and charged with criminal mischief after he reportedly poured red dye on a consumer who was leaving the Louis Vuitton store in The Domain. The red dye got onto her shirt, pants, shoes, jewelry, and on her feet.
According to the Austin Police Department (APD), Brian Wheat was among a group of protesters in front of the Louis Vuitton store in the 11600 block of Century Oaks Terrace around 3:42 p.m. on Saturday, April 16. During the protest, Brian reportedly began painting the front display windows and glass doors with red dye. Brian also reportedly used blue chalk paint to write words on the ground in front of the Louis Vuitton store.
It is not clear what words were painted on the ground.
While Brian was painting, a woman walked out of the Louis Vuitton store. Brian reportedly removed the spray attachment and poured the red dye all over the woman. The red dye reportedly got onto her shirt, pants, shoes, jewelry, and on her feet. APD says there is video footage from the store of Brian pouring the paint on her.
A man from Austin has been arrested and charged with criminal mischief after he reportedly poured red dye on a consumer who was leaving the Louis Vuitton store in the Domain. (Photo by KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images)
When police officers responded to the scene, they made contact with Brian. Brian reportedly had blue chalk paint on the left, inner front side of his shoe. Brian also reportedly had red pain n the inner right side of his show as well as all over his hands. Brian admitted to police that he was the on with the red dye sora and the blue chalk spray.
He also reportedly admitted to pouring the red dye on the woman who was leaving the store.
Brian Wheat was arrested and charged with criminal mischief, a Class A misdemeanor, and assault by contact, a Class C misdemeanor. He released the following statement to FOX 7 Austin regarding the incident:
I was hosting a peaceful, non-violent protest exercising my first amendment right to free speech.
Wild animals used for their fur have been linked to zoonotic diseases and harmful chemicals are used to pollute the environment to preserve animal fur used in fashion.
As the video shows, several angry men gathered around me and tried to provoke me into fighting but I declined.
There was no damage done to the building or sidewalk as the materials were all washable chalk and homemade kool aid that were easily cleaned up. I did not physically assault the woman in question and she accidentally walked in front of me while I was pouring out the blood on the sidewalk in front of the entrance. I am a long time native Austinite who volunteers at local animal rescues and I just want Louis Vuitton to stop killing animals for fashion. I have no criminal history and don't mean anyone any harm.
___
DOWNLOAD: FOX 7 AUSTIN NEWS APP
SUBSCRIBE: Daily Newsletter | YouTube
FOLLOW: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter