A confrontation outside a federal building in Minnesota has led to federal charges against three members of the same family, following an incident captured on video during a protest earlier this month.
Christopher Ostroushko, 51, along with Deyanna Ostroushko, 46, and their daughter Paige Ostroushko, 20, were indicted in connection with the alleged assault of Savanah Hernandez, according to an announcement from the U.S. Department of Justice, per the New York Post.
The incident took place outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building during an anti-ICE protest on April 11.
Video footage from the scene shows a chaotic sequence of events. Authorities say Christopher Ostroushko allegedly shoved Hernandez to the ground while shouting, “Don’t f**king touch my daughter!”
Moments earlier, another protester had been seen striking Hernandez, knocking her backward into a fence, according to the footage.
The video also shows additional physical contact as the situation escalated.
Hernandez, who was covering the protest, said she had been filming the event when she was identified by a group in the crowd.
“Hernandez was allegedly surrounded, physically assaulted, and shoved to the ground — simply because she was identified by the defendants as a conservative journalist,” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement.
“That is NOT ‘peaceful protest.’ These deplorable actions, as charged in the indictment, will not be tolerated in America, and this Department of Justice will always punish unhinged acts of political violence,” Blanche added.
Federal prosecutors charged Christopher and Paige Ostroushko with interference with a federally protected activity and assault, while Deyanna Ostroushko faces an assault charge.
Hernandez said she suffered neck pain, a sprained knee, and bruising following the incident.
Local authorities have also taken action.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office announced that Christopher Ostroushko has been charged with fifth-degree assault related to the same event.
“This is the second fifth-degree assault charge stemming from confrontations at Fort Snelling since December,” County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. “We are committed to protecting the right to protest across the entire county, including at Whipple, but violent conduct is unacceptable.”
Kash Patel confirmed that the FBI led the investigation into the incident.
“Above all, we are thankful @Savsays is ok,” Patel wrote. “Let this be a message to others who may try something similar – this FBI will find you.”
Christopher Ostroushko later defended his family’s actions in a podcast interview, saying, “We are absolutely not violent people. In fact, we tend to shy away from it.”
Paige Ostroushko also described the encounter as escalating in the moment, writing, “The situation escalated, and at one point, I experienced physical contact and believed I was being assaulted, including being struck several times. In response, I acted in what I believed was self-defense in the moment.”
All three defendants were charged by summons and are scheduled to appear in court on May 12.
Following the indictment, Hernandez expressed appreciation for the investigation.
“Thank you to the DOJ and FBI for doing everything they can to ensure that justice is fully served in this case,” she said. “I am incredibly grateful to see our justice system at work.”
