Volusia Sheriff’s Office deputies working alongside DeLand PD encountered several issues: A long gun pointed out of the passenger window of a passing vehicle, a loaded gun handed off from one convicted felon to another, agitated crowds of bystanders and bottles, jars and bar stools used against law enforcement as weapons or projectiles.

Today, in a story headlined "Police, citizens clash after peaceful DeLand memorial block party," The West Volusia Beacon published quotes from some members of the crowd:“This is what they do to black people,” one party participant said.

***Sheriff Mike Chitwood responded today by releasing video footage of the events and defending the deputies and police officers who were surrounded by agitated crowds and hit by glass bottles and other objects.Around 10:30 p.m., a passenger in a vehicle pointed a rifle or shotgun out of an open window, in the direction of a deputy and pedestrians gathered at a gas station at Beresford and Spring Garden avenues.

Deputies and police searched for the vehicle with negative results.As crowds grew in multiple locations, impeding traffic flow and causing safety hazards, deputies and DeLand police officers began ordering vehicles out of certain areas.

Glass bottles were also being thrown at patrol vehicles in the street while arrests were being made.One deputy sustained a minor knee injury and a DeLand PD officer had a minor head injury when he was hit with the jar.The behavior that occurred here overnight was dangerous, senseless, unacceptable and an embarrassment to our community.None of it will deter law enforcement from coming back when we’re needed.