Triad Man Attacks Family Over Black Lives Matter Signs

A Lewisville man is accused of assaulting two people over Black Lives Matter signs displayed in the rear window of their car. All those involved in the incident are white.

According to the family's attorney and statements released by the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, last Thursday, Nova Tempest, Olivia Pugh, and their brother were en route to a dental appointment when a driver, Rod Steven Sturdy, began tailgating them and later cutting them off as they drove. The family's lawyer says Sturdy's actions were in response to two signs in their rear window reading “Black Lives Matter," and “Prosecute the cops who murdered Breonna Taylor.” 

At the dental clinic parking lot, Sturdy got out of his car, pointed to the signs, used the N-word, and first punched Tempest's and Pugh's younger brother in the face, fracturing his eye socket. Pugh was later punched in the face when she tried to intervene. A statement released this week by Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough states that the right to freedom of expression exists and that the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office will charge anyone who assaults, harms, or attempts to violate those rights.

Sturdy is scheduled to appear in Forsyth District Court on January 22.