Man Arrested After Causing Disturbance, Sparking Fear at Bloomington No Kings Protest

Staff report

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — June 17, 2025 — A 31-year-old Bloomington man was arrested Saturday after allegedly threatening demonstrators with a large stick and placing a suspicious backpack near a crowded protest, prompting fears of a possible explosive device, according to a probable cause affidavit filed Monday in Monroe County Circuit Court.

Hyun Joon Kim, of Bloomington, faces preliminary charges of intimidation, a Level 5 felony, and disorderly conduct, a Class B misdemeanor, after a chaotic incident during a large political demonstration at the intersection of North Walnut Street and West Kirkwood Avenue around 1:45 p.m. on June 14.

Bloomington Police Officer Nathan Snyder responded to reports of a disturbance and arrived to find Kim being held on the ground by bystanders after allegedly threatening protesters. According to witness statements and police body camera footage, Kim had parked a black 2000 Honda Accord in the crosswalk at the intersection, exited the vehicle with a 4-foot-long stick, and began smashing the windows of his own car.

Witnesses told police that Kim walked through the area brandishing the stick and yelling at demonstrators to “get back,” causing panic among the crowd. One man, Daniel Golarz, tackled Kim to the ground after he saw Kim reaching for a backpack placed near the vehicle, fearing it could contain a weapon or explosive.

A second witness, Matthew Diaz, told police that Kim hugged him while placing a key fob-style device in his pocket and made incoherent statements, including: “This was the key to the frequency,” and instructions to “contact Mike and Fred” and “take his keys and run.” Diaz said the interaction and placement of the bag led him to believe the backpack might contain a bomb.

Video footage reviewed by police reportedly shows Kim smashing his vehicle’s windows, confronting Diaz, pacing aggressively near protesters while holding the stick, and assuming a combative stance. Protesters can be seen fleeing in the footage, police said.

Police later recovered a tactical armor carrier vest containing ballistic armor near the backpack.

Authorities said Kim’s behavior and cryptic comments created a reasonable fear among bystanders that the backpack was an explosive device, disrupting the otherwise lawful protest.

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