Bill Murray’s Son Arrested; Faces Assault and Battery Charges on Police

On Monday, hundreds of peaceful protesters gathered in Martha’s Vineyard, an island in Dukes County, Massachusetts. Bill Murray’s son was one.

According to The Vineyard Gazette, Caleb Murray, 27, was arrested for assault and battery on police officers. Around 6:30 PM, resident Eric Woods, 66, began to argue with protesters as he was leaving a nearby post office parking lot in his red Toyota Tacoma truck. Witnesses claim Woods yelled a racial slur and made an obscene gesture. That is when things escalated.

An unidentified 19-year-old told Woods to stop being disrespectful. That’s when witnesses at the scene informed police that Woods exited his truck and punched the young man. Woods returned to his truck as police arrived.

As police responded, a rock was thrown through Woods’s rear passenger window, Sergeant Max Sherman heard the sound of glass breaking and saw Murray immediately “put his hands on his head and drop to his knees” police reports confirm.

Murray was arrested at the scene for the destruction of property. On the way to the station, he picked up more charges when he became uncooperative with officers. Allegedly he spit on officer Mike Cutrer twice, Cutrer then asked Oak Bluff police to assist in the transport of Murray to the Edgartown House of Corrections, in which he became combative again, this time cutting himself and sheriff deputies. He was taken to Martha’s Vineyard Hospital for medical attention.

Murray’s charges include two counts of assault and battery on a police officer and threatening to commit a crime, which court documents show he threatened to commit arson. He appeared before a magistrate judge on Tuesday who found no reason to charge Murray for malicious destruction of property or terroristic threats. However, he is currently in custody without bail and awaiting a bed at an evaluation facility—his case has been continued for July 31.   

Thanks to the officers’ quick investigation of the incident, Woods was also arrested. He has been charged with disorderly conduct, assault, and battery for punching a protester and using hate speech.