Person Claiming to Be Man Accused Of Starting Pittsburgh Riots Tried To Set Up GoFundMe

Brian Bartels
Photo credit Pittsburgh Police

PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) - The person accused of starting the riots in Pittsburgh Saturday during an event protesting the death of George Floyd while in police custody reportedly tried to start a GoFundMe page that has since been taken down.

A person claiming to be 20-year-old Brian Bartels of Allison Park tried to set up the GoFundMe page to help with lawyer costs.

Bartels turned himself into police Monday afternoon

A link to the donation page is still on the site’s search page but is unavailable once you click on it.

On the site, the person claiming to be Bartels says he had just gotten off the phone with his lawyer and needed $1,500.

The person had set a goal of $5,000

Pittsburgh Police say Video shows  Bartels breaking the windows of a police cruiser against the wishes of peaceful protesters.

He is facing charges, including institutional vandalism, rioting and reckless endangerment.

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