EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEHT) – The Evansville Police Department (EPD) said officers were dispatched to an Assault in Progress report around 3:32 p.m. at the Central Library on March 15.

EPD said the incident was in the 200 block of Southeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Evansville.

Police said it was reported that Zachary New, 33, of Henderson, had allegedly pepper sprayed an employee. EPD said after officers were on the scene, New was detained. 

Police said the victim had visible redness and was teary-eyed. EPD said in New’s front left pocket, there was a can of pepper spray. According to EVPL staff, New was filming people without the consent of the EVPL, and they asked him to leave multiple times.

EPD said the victim attempted to show EVPL’s new policy on filming. Officers said camera footage shows multiple interactions between the employee and New, and police said the footage showed that New repeatedly put the camera in the victim’s face.

EPD said during the final interaction, New placed his camera in the employee’s face yet again.

EPD said the footage showed the employee pushing the camera out of his face and New then pepper spraying the employee in the face.

EPD read New the Miranda warning, but New stated he did not understand. Police said New was transported to the Vanderburgh County Correction Center, booked and the jail said he was charged with Battery – Bodily Injury – Misdemeanor (Simple Assault).

He has since been released.