Police arrest Troy family

Father accused of throwing Molotov cocktail at officers

Albany police arrested a Troy family who they say were involved in a May 30 protest outside the police department’s South Station that turned violent as night fell.

Dwight Parker, 38, was arrested Thursday morning at his residence following an investigation by detectives from the Albany Police Department’s criminal investigation unit, police announced Thursday.

Police say Parker threw a Molotov cocktail incendiary device at four Albany police officers who were on horseback near South Pearl and Arch streets.

Unrest had broken out there following a day of peaceful demonstrations in protest of police brutality and violence against Black people.

As night fell, people threw trash, bricks and rocks at police and smashed windows at businesses throughout the city.

Albany police said the Molotov cocktail that Parker threw exploded directly at the feet of the four police officers on horseback.

Parker was charged with four counts each of first-degree attempted assault, attempted aggravated assault on a police officer and attempting to injure a police animal, as well as one count of firstdegree reckless endangerment.

Police also arrested Parker’s wife and daughter — 37-year-old Shalene Allen and 18-year-old Imari Allen — for their alleged roles in that night’s violence. They were each charged with one count of first-degree inciting a riot.

Parker was arraigned Thursday morning in Albany Criminal Court, where his bail was set at $40,000.

Shalene and Imari Allen are scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 8.

Albany police said further charges from the Troy Police Department may be forthcoming after Troy police, who assisted in Thursday’s arrest, allegedly recovered a loaded handgun inside of Parker’s residence.