A father from Minnesota, Chris Ostroshko, has come forward after being filmed pushing conservative journalist Savana Hernandez to the ground during a protest against ICE. He claims he was acting in defense of his wife and daughter, stating that his family is “absolutely not violent.”
“We avoid violence, actually,” Ostroshko shared in a podcast with Brian Shapiro, referring to the incident. He noted, “I was at the back of the crowd, simply observing everything that was unfolding.”
On April 11, Ostroshko, along with his wife Deyanna and their daughter Paige, found themselves in an altercation with Hernandez outside Whippleville, Minnesota. Hernandez was reporting on the F-ICE Day protests and, while recognizing there were demonstrators nearby, felt overwhelmed.
Hernandez has since publicly contested the Ostroshkos’ claims, saying they were the instigators. “If I had hit them first, there would be proof,” she asserted, describing how the Ostroshkos approached her, with Deyanna allegedly pushing her and Chris yelling in her ear.
According to Hernandez, Deyanna prompted Paige to whistle in her ear, further escalating the situation. “I never went near them; they came towards me,” she maintained, defending her account against accusations that she initiated the confrontation.
In contrast, Deyanna Ostroshko argued that Hernandez started the conflict. “I was just trying to protect my daughter,” she explained. She claimed that after an altercation involving Paige, things got out of hand. “When my husband said, ‘Enough is enough,’ that was a turning point,” she recounted.
Trisha Poland, one of the family’s attorneys, supported Deyanna’s viewpoint on a podcast, claiming that Hernandez punched Paige while she was using a whistle. Hernandez later stated she sought medical treatment, revealing she had suffered a concussion and sprains.
The FBI has reportedly launched an investigation into the incident. The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the case is still active, having recommended charges against members of the Ostroshko family related to the assault on Hernandez.
As of now, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office is reviewing the potential charges. James Cook, an attorney for the Ostroshkos, mentioned that no formal charges have been filed against Chris, and he intends to plead not guilty.
Hernandez noted she has yet to hear from county prosecutors directly. Meanwhile, the Ostroshkos claim their lives have been turned upside down, experiencing threats and losing their jobs since the incident became public. Chris voiced concerns about the threats directed at his family, stating, “This shouldn’t lead to ruining lives,” and expressed hope for a resolution without hostility towards Hernandez.
