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Texas park ranger enforcing social distancing pushed in lake, suspect charged

Posted at 11:48 AM, May 05, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-05 11:48:49-04

A 25-year-old man in Texas was arrested and charged with attempted assault on a public servant after a video showed him pushing a park ranger into a lake while the ranger went over rules on social distancing.

Authorities say Ranger Cassidy Stillwell was talking to a group of people about not distancing themselves from each other at Commons Ford Ranch Metro Park in Austin when Brandon Hicks pushed him into the lake.

As Stillwell was falling into the lake, he pulled Hicks in with him.

Hicks fled the scene but was later arrested, officials say.

If convicted, Hicks would be sentenced up to two years in jail.

Hicks' next court date is June 19.

Austin rangers are now under guidance to approach groups in teams of two, officials say.