Tyson told Fayetteville Observer that he had called 911 insinuated that the call would paint a different picture. According to documents from the Fayetteville Police Department, at the time of the incident, a dispatcher received a call about “reckless activity.” “Caller advises there are subjects in the roadway blocking traffic,” the dispatcher said. “I think it was possibly going to be five to 10 subjects.” The caller later stated that the people in the street were coming near his car. When asked if he wanted to get in contact with police officers when they arrive, he said, “No, I just need them to come and get the people out of the street.”

Tyson served as a judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals for almost 14 years was later summoned. Court documents said that Tyson was “unlawfully and willfully did assault Myahtaeyarra Warren with a deadly weapon, a white SUV … by driving [his] vehicle at a high rate of speed and attempting to hit her in the body.”

Court records showed that following an investigation, Magistrate C.L. McMillan discovered enough evidence to support the charges against the judge. In a statement directed at Tyson, McMillan wrote, “I, the undersigned, find that there is probable cause to believe that on or about the date of the offense, the defendant drove at a high rate of speed attempting to hit Myahtaeyarra Warren with a deadly weapon, a white SUV.” Judge Tyson is supposed to be back in court on June 21, according to the criminal summons signed by McMillan.

The Orlando Sentinel reported that Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis signed an “anti-riot” bill in April that gives civil legal immunity to civilians who run their vehicles through protesters blocking a road. The law creates new felony categories of protest-related crimes i.e. “mob intimidation” and makes activities such as blocking a highway a felony, has garnered criticism from Democrats and civil rights groups. Many claim it is unconstitutional and infringes on the First Amendment right to protest peacefully.