"We had to send our forces to multiple locations to deal with a number of disturbances in and around the downtown area… we had groups that were move constantly," Thomas said on Monday. "We were following a number of groups ensuring that they were being peaceful but it was a challenge. It was certainly a challenge, we were spread thin once the groups dispersed."
Charlottesville police had developed a security plan with the "Unite the Right" organizers to ensure a safe demonstration, however, protesters did not follow the guidelines, Thomas said.
The original was plan was for protesters to enter the rally through the rear of Emancipation Park, but they began to enter through various sides, which led to a confrontation with counter-protesters, Thomas added.
On Saturday, white nationalists organized a "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville to protest the removal of the Robert E. Lee monument at a downtown park. The rally subsequently led to clashes and culminated in the car ramming attack that killed Heyer and injured more than 30 people. In addition, two Virginia State Police troopers — Jay Cullen and Berke Bates — died when their helicopter crashed, as they patrolled near the site of clashes.
