65-year-old Bloomington driver pepper-sprayed near protest recounts his version of encounter with armed man Friday

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Protesters cross the street at Walnut and Kirkwood Friday, while a person, right, stands in the crosswalk with a shot gun. (Courtesy Photo by Lisa Wilson)

Staff report

Bloomington, Indiana – February 3, 2026

Bloomington resident Paul Lukey, 65, told The Bloomingtonian on Monday night that on Friday he approached the intersection of Kirkwood Avenue and Walnut Street to turn north (left) and encountered a man who later turned out to be Ryan Hughes, the person arrested with a shotgun at last Friday’s protest.

Lukey said he slowed down so he wouldn’t hit anyone, rolled down his window, and asked Hughes to move back. Lukey said they were basically face-to-face when he was sprayed with pepper spray, and a snowball was thrown through his window.

Lukey said he parked and began throwing pieces of the snowball out of his truck. He said he then got out of the truck to finish cleaning the snowball out of the vehicle. At that point, he said Hughes approached him while armed with a shotgun, but did not point it at him, and told him he “better get back in the truck” and leave.

Lukey said the pepper spray mostly got into his mouth but did not get into his eyes. He said the snowball missed him but landed inside his truck. Lukey said the pepper spray didn’t taste too bad.

Lukey said Hughes asked him if he wanted to be sprayed again. Lukey said he replied, “Please don’t,” and tried to de-escalate the situation with humor. He said he thought it would also show the gunman he wasn’t afraid and might improve communication.

Lukey said he asked Hughes, “What did you spray me with?” and Hughes replied, “My dick.” Lukey said it was clear Hughes became angry when Lukey asked whether it was pepper spray. Lukey said Hughes responded, “Fuck you.”

Lukey said he asked Hughes, “Am I your enemy?” Lukey said Hughes replied, “Fuck you.”

Lukey said he told Hughes he believes protesters have every right to protest, and said to him, “Ask me again: Am I against you?” Lukey said Hughes asked, “Are you against me?” Lukey said he replied “No,” and that Hughes then said, “Goodbye,” and walked away.

Lukey said the person who threw the snowball later apologized. He said one of the other protesters also told him, “Sorry about that guy.” Lukey said he told them to stay safe and keep their heads about them.

Lukey said that when he later went to the Sheriff’s Office to run an errand, staff encouraged him to report the incident to police. He said police asked him to identify the person, but he could not because the person was wearing a mask. Lukey said police later contacted him and told him they had a suspect in custody.

Lukey said he asked police to tell the person with the shotgun (Hughes) that pepper spray “isn’t a magic wand,” and that if he keeps doing things like that, someone is likely to hurt him—something Lukey said he does not want to happen. Lukey said he believes the person with the shotgun showed “really bad judgment.”

Lukey said he doesn’t necessarily agree with the protesters and supports ICE’s work, but also supports people’s free speech and constitutional rights. He said he is concerned media narratives are worsening divisions in the community, and he wishes people would talk to each other more instead of watching media reports and making up their minds without speaking to the other side.

He said he will defend protesters’ right to protest, even if he disagrees with them. Lukey said at no time did the person with the shotgun point a firearm at him, and he did not witness any of the other incidents. He said he is concerned about young people and wants the best for them.

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